Single cell transcriptomics in prostate cancer research

The objective of our study was to review current advances in transcriptome technologies focused on single cell analysis with emphasis on their application in the study of the tumor microenvironment and immune landscape in prostate cancer (PCa). PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, and Embase scientific databases were analyzed. PCa is an androgen hormone-dependent malignant neoplasm that affects the male genitourinary system. Evidence shows that, in men under 40 years of age, PCa is extremely rare, while the highest number of cases occurs in the 50 to 70 age group. Today, PCa is one of the most common cancers among men and represents one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. According to the Global Cancer Observatory (GCO), there were 1,467,854 new cases of cancer worldwide in 2022, resulting in 397,430 deaths associated with the disease. PCa ranks fourth in terms of incidence and second in terms of mortality among all cancers in men. In Russia, PCa ranks second in incidence among all cancers in men, with 52,712 cases registered as of 2022, and fourth in mortality, with 14,635 cases. A thorough understanding of the mechanisms of the pathogenesis and progression of PCa is key to effective diagnosis and treatment development. This review presents an analysis of transcriptome-based techniques in single-cell resolution for studying cellular heterogeneity in PCa. The methodology of the analysis is also presented in detail, cellular heterogeneity in PCa is characterized, current research in the field of single cell transcriptomics in PCa is described, and promising applications of the results in clinical practice are also outlined. The results of research in this area have significant potential for use as both prognostic and diagnostic markers of tumor processes. Thus, the work emphasizes the importance of studying cellular heterogeneity to improve the methods of PCa diagnostics and therapy. Technologies for studying the transcriptome of single cells provide unique opportunities for in-depth understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the immune response in cancer. The data obtained may become the basis for the development of new directions in fundamental immunology, the development of innovative therapeutic strategies and a personalized approach to prostate cancer treatment, which opens prospects for improving the efficiency of treatment.

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