Pancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality, with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) accounting for 90% of all cases. As most PDAC cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, surgical interventions are ineffective, and consequently, lymph node metastasis manifests in 70% of PDAC patients. Moreover, since the number of genetic mutations giving rise to PDAC are low, there are fewer available targeted therapeutic modalities. Analysis of gene expression at the single-cell level may help understand the tumor dynamics of PDAC.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite the success of immune checkpoint blockade therapies in various solid tumors, immunotherapy for CRC remains a challenge. Hence, there is a critical need to understand the complex tumor microenvironment (TME) of CRC and identify potential targets to develop new immunotherapies.

Cancer metastasis, the spread of cancer to organs, is a major cause of cancer-related deaths. Once cancer spreads to multiple organs, conventional treatments like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy become less effective. Scientists at Shinshu University School of Medicine have developed a synthetic mRNA that, when injected, revitalizes the immune system to recognize and attack metastasizing cancer cells. This breakthrough could lead to new therapies to improve survival rates for cancer patients.