Resumen
This study explored a potentially significant player in the spread of metastatic cancer: ?hybrid cells? (HCs) combining features of both epithelial (common in tissues) and immune cells (such as macrophages). HCs were found in more than one type of tumor (THC) and showed a unique transcriptional profile including the activation of functional pathways, potentially explaining their mobility, dissemination into circulation, and metastatic progression. Normal healthy tissue also showed hybrid cells (NHC), but they were rare and could be easily distinguished from THCs based on their gene expression profile. The study also developed a way to identify HCs in large datasets generated at the single-cell level, paving the way for further research on their function and as potential therapeutic targets.