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World J Gastrointest Oncol. Nov 15, 2025; 17(11): 103808
Published online Nov 15, 2025. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v17.i11.103808
Innovative insights and future research directions in gastric cancer through single-cell RNA sequencing
Cheng-Fei Zhao, Qu-Wen Li, Shen-Yi Ye, Li-Wen Chen, Zhi-Feng Xu
Cheng-Fei Zhao, Shen-Yi Ye, Li-Wen Chen, School of Pharmacy and Medical Technology, Putian University, Putian 351100, Fujian Province, China
Cheng-Fei Zhao, Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Analysis and Laboratory Medicine in University of Fujian Province, Putian University, Putian 351100, Fujian Province, China
Qu-Wen Li, Department of Priority Laboratory for Zoonoses Research, Fujian Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Fuzhou 350012, Fujian Province, China
Zhi-Feng Xu, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, Putian 351100, Fujian Province, China
Co-first authors: Cheng-Fei Zhao and Qu-Wen Li.
Author contributions: Zhao CF and Li QW mainly wrote this paper; Zhao CF and Xu ZF mainly designed this paper; Zhao CF, Li QW, Ye SY and Xu ZF checked and proofread this paper; Zhao CF, Li QW, Ye SY Chen LW, and Xu ZF searched related literatures and information for this paper; All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Supported by Scientific Research Project of Putian University, No. 2022059; Special Project for Outstanding Young Talents of Putian University, No. 2024072; and Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province, No. 2023J01160.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Zhi-Feng Xu, Chief Physician, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Putian University, No. 999 Dongzhen Road, Licheng District, Putian 351100, Fujian Province, China. zhifengxu1972@163.com
Received: December 2, 2024
Revised: June 21, 2025
Accepted: July 7, 2025
Published online: November 15, 2025
Processing time: 348 Days and 11 Hours
Abstract

Gastric cancer (GC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality globally. Although significant progress has been made in treatment options, the survival rates for GC patients continue to be low. This is primarily attributed to the intricate and insufficiently understood mechanisms of disease progression, as well as the considerable challenges associated with tumor heterogeneity. The recent study by Tang et al provides a detailed single-cell RNA sequencing analysis of GC across different stages, revealing dynamic changes in the tumor microenvironment and key immune responses. We aim to offer a comprehensive interpretation of the study’s findings and propose several innovative directions for future academic research in gastric cancer. These include exploring advanced multi-omics approaches, leveraging spatial transcriptomics, integrating artificial intelligence for clinical applications, and developing novel immunotherapy strategies. We further emphasize the importance of personalized medicine, early detection, and novel drug discovery techniques in improving GC treatment outcomes.

Keywords: Gastric cancer; Single-cell RNA sequencing; Tumor microenvironment; Immune cells; Paracancerous tissues; Multi-omics approaches; Spatial transcriptomics; Artificial intelligence; Immune modulation; Early detection

Core Tip: Gastric cancer (GC) remains a major global health challenge, with low survival rates due to tumor heterogeneity and complex progression mechanisms. The recent study by Tang et al provides valuable insights into the dynamic changes in the tumor microenvironment across different GC stages using single-cell RNA sequencing. We summarize the study's key findings and propose future research directions, such as multi-omics approaches, spatial transcriptomics, integration of artificial intelligence into clinical practice, and innovative immunotherapies. By emphasizing personalized medicine and early detection, these advancements demonstrate significant potential for enhancing treatment outcomes in GC and refining therapeutic strategies.