Single-cell transcriptome profiling of the stepwise progression of head and neck cancer

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) undergoes stepwise progression from normal tissues to precancerous leukoplakia, primary HNSCC, and metastasized tumors. To delineate the heterogeneity of tumor cells and their interactions during the progression of HNSCC, we employ single-cell RNA-seq profiling for normal to metastasized tumors. We can identify the carcinoma in situ cells in leukoplakia lesions that are not detected by pathological examination. In addition, we identify the cell type subsets of the Galectin 7B (LGALS7B)-expressing malignant cells and CXCL8-expressing fibroblasts, demonstrating that their abundance in tumor tissue is associated with unfavorable prognostic outcomes. We also…

• NR
  National Research Foundation
• MO
  Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning

  Awards: HR21C1003, NRF-2019R1A5A2026045, 2018R1A2B3009008
• KI
  Korea Institute of Science and Technology
• KI
  Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information
• KH
  Korea Health Industry Development Institute

  Award: HR21C1003
• NR
  National Research Foundation of Korea

  Awards: 2019R1A5A2026045, 2018R1A2B3009008, NRF-2018R1A2B3009008, NRF-2019R1A5A2026045
• KR
  Korea Research Environment Open Network