Innovative Technique Tracks Cancer Cell Evolution from a Single Tissue Sample

Researchers at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have developed a groundbreaking method that enables the reconstruction of cancer cell evolution from just a single tissue sample. This innovative approach allows scientists to trace the development of cancer over time, providing insights into how malignant tumors emerge and grow. Understanding the history of cancer cell proliferation could be pivotal for early detection and intervention, potentially intercepting the disease before it fully manifests.

Cancer does not typically develop overnight; it often takes decades for genetic alterations to accumulate and transform healthy cells into malignant ones. The new technique, named SCIFER, leverages the natural accumulation of mutations within individual cells to map their evolutionary history. By analyzing spontaneous genomic changes—mutations that occur constantly—researchers can identify patterns that reveal when cancer-promoting mutations occurred and how quickly pre-cancerous clones expand.

This method was validated through collaboration with hematologist Paresh Vyas and his team at the University of Oxford, who provided bone marrow samples from healthy individuals. The ability to detect early, aggressively growing cell clusters could significantly enhance early cancer diagnostics.

The study highlights that mutations in oncogenes—genes that have the potential to promote cancer—are far more common than previously believed. Interestingly, not all activated oncogenes lead to cancer; some cells harboring these mutations survive and multiply without becoming malignant, thanks to the body's protective mechanisms. Cancer typically requires multiple genetic changes and environmental factors, such as inflammation, to progress.

Looking ahead, the researchers aim to identify the biological factors that propel cells with activated oncogenes toward malignancy and those that hinder this process. The ultimate goal is to develop strategies for early intervention, preventing cancer from fully developing.

This pioneering research opens new avenues for understanding cellular evolution within the human body and could lead to more effective early detection methods, especially for blood cancers like myelodysplastic syndrome and leukemia. With continued advancements, the team envisions tools to intervene in the earliest stages of cancer development, reducing the burden of this disease.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-method-cancer-cell-evolution-tissue.html