Yu-Hsiang Chen, MS, PhD
Detecting and Tracking Residual Cancer Cells After Treatment to Prevent Relapse
Summary
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a blood cancer that can only be cured with stem cell transplantation, which replaces malignant cells with healthy donor blood and stem cells. However, about half of patients still relapse and die. Sensitive tools have been developed to detect small numbers of residual cancer cells that predict relapse. Yet we still don’t fully understand what these cells look like or why they survive. We suspect these residual cancer cells can evade attack by donor immune cells. Our study uses a new single-cell technology not only to detect these cells but also to inspect individual malignant cells for their RNA, protein, and genetic features. This work tracks changes in individual cells over time to show how the residual cancer cells evolve and avoid attack from donor immune cells. By understanding these changes, we can develop better treatments to prevent relapse and improve outcomes for patients.
The PhRMA Foundation award provides me with the essential resources to advance my research on characterizing measurable residual disease in blood cancer and monitoring its evolution, along with immune cell interactions, after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. This support strengthens our mission to make a meaningful impact on cancer diagnosis and treatment.
