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Mapping normal and cancer cell signalling networks: towards single-cell proteomics

Nature Reviews Cancer volume 6, pages 146–155 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Oncogenesis and tumour progression are supported by alterations in cell signalling. Using flow cytometry, it is now possible to track and analyse signalling events in individual cancer cells. Data from this type of analysis can be used to create a network map of signalling in each cell and to link specific signalling profiles with clinical outcomes. This form of 'single-cell proteomics' can identify pathways that are activated in therapy-resistant cells and can provide biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and for determining patient prognosis.

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Figure 1: Individual-cell analysis of signalling.
Figure 2: Commonality of mechanism indicates a signalling profile.
Figure 3: Changes in JAK–STAT signalling in therapy-resistant cancer cells.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank R. Ihrie for reviewing the manuscript and many useful discussions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. the Department of Medicine, Oncology Division, Stanford University, Stanford, 94305, California, USA

    Jonathan M. Irish

  2. the Department of Biomedical Informatics, Stanford University, Stanford, 94305, California, USA

    Nikesh Kotecha

  3. the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Baxter Laboratory for Genetic Pharmacology, Stanford University, Stanford, 94305, California, USA

    Garry P. Nolan

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Correspondence to Garry P. Nolan.

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Competing interests

Garry Nolan is a paid consultant to vendors of reagents and flow cytometry products. He also consults with several pharmaceutical companies in the area of technologies discussed in this review.

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National Cancer Institute

acute myeloid leukaemia

chronic myeloid leukaemia

lymphoma

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Irish, J., Kotecha, N. & Nolan, G. Mapping normal and cancer cell signalling networks: towards single-cell proteomics. Nat Rev Cancer 6, 146–155 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrc1804

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