Identification of Molecular Mechanisms Which Drive Tumor Cell Plasticity and Aggressiveness in Human Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Tumor cell plasticity (TCP) is a conubium of processes which lead to re-activation of developmental programs correlating with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and ultimately leading to acquisition of stem cell properties and transdifferentiation potential. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms governing TCP in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), i.e. the most frequent lung cancer subtype. The investigators recently identified prognostic 7-miRNAs/10-mRNAs signatures which accurately identified aggressive LUAD among patients with early-stage disease (Stage I). Furthermore, the investigators showed that such tumors show TCP features i.e. mesenchymal and stem-cell traits, high-metastatic potential. Here, the investigators aim to explore by RNAseq and by immunophenotyping at a single-cell level (scRNAseq/AbSeq), the molecular features of aggressive LUAD to unveil the mechanisms triggering TCP. The investigators predict thier results will be relevant for the development of more effective therapeutic protocols for management of aggressive LUAD.