NNMT enriches for AQP5 + cancer stem cells to drive malignant progression in early gastric cardia adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE: Early gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (EGCA) is a highly heterogeneous cancer, and the understanding of its classification and malignant progression is limited. This study explored the cellular and molecular heterogeneity in EGCA using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). DESIGN: scRNA-seq was conducted on 95 551 cells from endoscopic biopsies of low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, well/moderately/poorly differentiated EGCA and their paired adjacent nonmalignant biopsy samples. Large-scale clinical samples and functional experiments were employed. RESULTS: stem cells during EGCA malignant progression. CONCLUSION: population that may drive malignant progression in EGCA and could be used for early diagnosis and therapy.