Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally, with about 1 in 8 people dying of cancer in 2022, as per the World Health Organization. While considerable progress has been made in the fight against cancer, it continues to cause grief and suffering across the world, as more and more people are diagnosed with cancers affecting different tissues and organs. Although significant advances have been made in cancer treatment, these therapies are effective in only a minority of patients.
The major challenge in oncology is that no two cancers are alike, even within the same tissue, complicating treatment responses and relapse rates. Tumor heterogeneity arises from the diversity of cell types within tumors and unique gene mutations in these cells, which influence cancer progression and treatment response. Additionally, the spatial organization of cancer cells and their interactions with neighboring cells shape the tumor microenvironment (TME). This spatial architecture impacts tumor development, metastasis, and drug efficacy, highlighting the complexity of each cancer case.
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