Single-cell whole-genome sequencing reveals convergent evolution in Burkitt lymphoma.
Pediatric Burkitt lymphoma tumors evolve through multiple independent paths toward similar mutations, offering clues for why some patients resist treatment.
Single-cell whole-genome sequencing of 250 paired normal and malignant B-cells from pediatric Burkitt lymphoma patients reveals that genetic intratumoral heterogeneity is established early through convergent evolution — multiple independent mutational routes converging on similar oncogenic phenotypes. This deep characterization of Burkitt lymphoma evolutionary dynamics has implications for understanding treatment resistance and designing therapeutic interventions.
What the study was
- Study design
- Single-cell whole-genome sequencing with phylogenetic analysis; cross-sectional with integrated bulk WGS
- Population
- Pediatric Burkitt lymphoma patients; 250 paired normal and malignant B-cells analyzed by scWGS, integrated with 21 bulk WGS samples
- Sample size
- 250
- Category
- Genomics/Precision Medicine
- Maturity
- Exploratory
- Journal
- Nature Communications
Why it surfaced
Novel single-cell WGS analysis in Nat Commun revealing convergent evolution in pediatric Burkitt lymphoma — a high-novelty mechanistic finding from the Princess Máxima Center. Exploratory but foundational for understanding resistance in this pediatric cancer. Score limited to 7 by observational design and small sample size.
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