Single-cell sequencing technology in renal cancer: insights into tumor biology and clinical application

Renal cancer, particularly clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), is characterized by significant intratumoral heterogeneity, which poses challenges for diagnosis and treatment. Single-cell sequencing (SCS) provides unprecedented insights into the cellular landscape of renal cancer, allowing for detailed characterization of tumor heterogeneity at the single-cell level. This review highlights how SCS has been instrumental in elucidating the origins of different renal cancer subtypes, understanding mechanisms of tumor initiation and progression, and dissecting the complex tumor microenvironment (TME). It discusses the identification of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets, as well as the potential of SCS to inform personalized treatment strategies. The review also explores the integration of SCS with spatial omics technologies, which enhances the understanding of cellular interactions within their spatial context. Moreover, it addresses the challenges and future directions in applying SCS to clinical practice, emphasizing its significance in advancing renal cancer biology and improving clinical interventions.