Overview

• Researchers at Nagoya University used single-cell RNA sequencing in Th-MYCN mice to identify a population of semi-differentiated “uncommitted” tumor cells.
• About 20% of these genetically engineered mice experienced spontaneous regression, suggesting a link between uncommitted cells and better survival.
• Comparative analysis of human neuroblastoma datasets revealed the same uncommitted cell gene signature in patients with favorable outcomes.
• Professor Kenji Kadomatsu proposes that uncommitted cells may exhibit weaker oncogenic potential due to their intrinsic properties or the tumor microenvironment.
• The research team will next focus on developing techniques to specifically label or isolate uncommitted cells to advance diagnostic and treatment research.