Understanding cancer subpopulations is crucial for several reasons. First, it aids in identifying the mechanisms of drug resistance, as certain subpopulations may survive treatment and lead to disease relapse. Second, it helps in the development of targeted therapies that can effectively address the specific characteristics of different subpopulations. Lastly, it provides insights into metastasis, as certain subpopulations may have a higher propensity to spread to other parts of the body.