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Single-cell RNA sequencing in pancreatic cancer

The application of single-cell RNA sequencing platforms has generated notable insights into the heterogeneity underlying pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), encompassing both the neoplastic compartment and the tumour microenvironment. In this Comment, we discuss the most pertinent findings gleaned from both mouse models and human PDAC samples, as well as future opportunities.

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Acknowledgements

P01CA117969 (A.M. and R.A.D.), P50CA221707 (A.M. and R.A.D.), R01CA218004 (A.M.), R01CA220236 (A.M.), MD Anderson Cancer Moonshot program (A.M. and R.A.D.).

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Correspondence to Anirban Maitra.

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A.M. receives royalties for a pancreatic cancer biomarker test from Cosmos Wisdom Biotechnology, and is listed as an inventor on a patent that has been licensed by Johns Hopkins University to ThriveEarlier Detection. R.A.D. is Founder and Advisor of Tvardi Therapeutics, Asylia Therapeutics, Stellanova Therapeutics, Nirogy Therapeutics and Sporos Bioventures.

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Han, J., DePinho, R.A. & Maitra, A. Single-cell RNA sequencing in pancreatic cancer. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 18, 451–452 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41575-021-00471-z

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