What are the Key Applications of Single Cell Proteomics in Cancer?
1. Tumor Microenvironment Analysis: Single cell proteomics helps in understanding the interactions between cancer cells and their surrounding microenvironment, including immune cells, stromal cells, and extracellular matrix components. 2. Identifying Cancer Stem Cells: It can be used to identify and characterize rare cancer stem cells, which are believed to be responsible for tumor initiation, progression, and recurrence. 3. Drug Resistance Mechanisms: By analyzing the protein profiles of individual cancer cells, researchers can uncover mechanisms of drug resistance and identify potential targets for overcoming resistance. 4. Personalized Medicine: Single cell proteomics can contribute to the development of personalized treatment strategies by revealing the unique protein signatures of a patient’s tumor, guiding the selection of targeted therapies.
