A cell state describes how a cell is behaving
A cell’s state can reflect which genes and pathways are active, how it uses energy, and whether it is dividing. Cells within the same tumour can occupy different states, and some can change between them. [M06]
Similar words can describe different things
Quiescence describes a state of reduced proliferation that may be reversible. Senescence describes a more sustained arrest associated with a broader set of cellular changes. Neither label can be assigned reliably from a single convenient marker in every setting.
A study also needs to establish whether a cell is malignant. A stressed cell in the surrounding tissue and a tumour cell can share some markers whilst playing different roles.
The question for our programme
We want to know whether a treatment-surviving state has a causal role in regrowth and whether it can be targeted selectively. This requires following what cells do, as well as measuring what they look like at one moment.
The possibility of state change also matters. A vulnerability observed before treatment may differ from the vulnerability of the population left afterwards.