Scientists create 'colocatome' to study cancer cell interactions

Scientists have developed a new catalog called the "colocatome" to study how non-cancerous cells around tumors affect cancer cell behavior. This approach uses artificial intelligence to analyze cell interactions and their impact on tumor growth and drug resistance. The colocatome maps the relationships between different cell types, identifying which cells are close together and how this influences cancer characteristics. Researchers found that the arrangement of these cells can change after treatment, potentially leading to drug resistance. The team aims to use the colocatome to improve cancer treatment by identifying specific cell configurations that affect drug effectiveness. They plan to expand their research to create maps for various cancers, which could reveal common patterns in tumor behavior.