Cancer Research UK-funded scientists have unveiled the first computational algorithm capable of identifying which cell populations within a tumor drive aggressive growth.
Developed by researchers at University College London (UCL) and The Francis Crick Institute, the innovative algorithm, called SPRINTER, analyses individual cells within a tumor to identify those that are growing the most rapidly. The technology could eventually help doctors detect fast-growing cancer cells in early-stage tumors and predict how a patient’s cancer might progress.
Researchers detailed their work in a paper published today (November 29) in the journal Nature Genetics.
Group Leader of Computational Cancer Genomics at UCL and senior author of the paper, Dr Simone Zaccaria, said:
“The importance of having access to sophisticated computational algorithms in this work cannot be overstated. It helped us process large amounts of complex data quickly and accurately, uncovering patterns in cell growth which would be impossible to spot manually. Future progress in cancer research hinges on the use of cutting-edge technologies to pave the way for more precise interventions and better patient outcomes.”
Developing new targeted cancer treatments is challenging because tumors consist of diverse and complex populations of cancer cells. This means that different cells within the same tumor can respond differently to treatments, evolve resistance, or adapt in unexpected ways.
Dr Zaccaria and his team wanted to find a way to differentiate between these cell populations by identifying which were the fastest growing and therefore the most likely to impact a patient’s prognosis.
The team used SPRINTER to analyze nearly 15,000 cancer cells from a patient with non-small cell lung cancer, the most common type of lung cancer. The patient was enrolled in the TRACERx and PEACE studies – also funded by Cancer Research UK – which work in tandem to track the evolution of lung cancer from when a patient is diagnosed to their death.
This allowed Dr Zaccaria’s team to compare cells from both the patient’s primary tumor and tumors that had metastasized (spread) to other parts of the body as the cancer developed.
This research is another crucial step in our efforts to improve the outlook for people affected by lung cancer, while also providing valuable insights into the fundamental biology of all cancers. From uncovering the causes of lung cancer to pioneering drugs to treat it and campaigning for change, Cancer Research UK is powering progress for people impacted by the disease.”
Dr Iain Foulkes, Executive director of research and innovation, Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK’s chief clinician and deputy clinical director at The Francis Crick Institute, Professor Charles Swanton, said:
“This research demonstrates the profound impact of pioneering studies like TRACERx and PEACE on our understanding of cancer. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and bringing together some of the brightest minds in cancer research, these studies are unravelling the complexities of cancer progression and evolution.”
SPRINTER revealed that the cells that were growing the fastest were responsible for spreading the cancer to other parts of the body, even from other existing metastasized tumors.
It also showed that these cells shed more of their DNA into the bloodstream, also known as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). This presents an opportunity to develop blood tests which could identify the aggressive cells which drive a patient’s tumor with a simple and minimally invasive procedure.
Researchers hope that these findings will lay the foundations for further clinical studies, bringing the insights gained from SPRINTER into real-world cancer treatment. The possibility of detecting aggressive cancer cell populations early and monitoring them over time offers a new avenue for more proactive and personalized cancer care.
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