Ying Cao
@neuralgrndstate.bsky.social
Cancer is a systemic disease. Understanding a systemic disease needs systemic rules: Tumorigenesis is a process of progressive loss of original cell identity and gain of neural stemness, the general stemness that determines tumorigenicity and pluripotency.
‘Understanding Cancer as a Systemic Disease by Understanding Neural Stemness as the Core Property of Cancer Cell’
www.preprints.org/manuscript/2...
www.preprints.org/manuscript/2...
January 22, 2026 at 5:19 AM
‘Understanding Cancer as a Systemic Disease by Understanding Neural Stemness as the Core Property of Cancer Cell’
www.preprints.org/manuscript/2...
www.preprints.org/manuscript/2...
Recent studies showed GOF mutation in MSI2 @science.org &increased SOX4 activity @cellpress.bsky.social are cancer drivers
If notice MSI2&SOX4 are embryonic neural factors instead of two lifeless symbols, cancer might be better understood
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
If notice MSI2&SOX4 are embryonic neural factors instead of two lifeless symbols, cancer might be better understood
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Inherited resilience to clonal hematopoiesis by modifying stem cell RNA regulation
Somatic mutations that increase the fitness of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) drive their expansion in clonal hematopoiesis (CH) and predispose individuals to blood cancers. Population variation in t...
www.science.org
January 22, 2026 at 5:15 AM
Recent studies showed GOF mutation in MSI2 @science.org &increased SOX4 activity @cellpress.bsky.social are cancer drivers
If notice MSI2&SOX4 are embryonic neural factors instead of two lifeless symbols, cancer might be better understood
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
If notice MSI2&SOX4 are embryonic neural factors instead of two lifeless symbols, cancer might be better understood
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
What does 'a high-plasticity cell state' mean? @nature.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:51 AM
What does 'a high-plasticity cell state' mean? @nature.com
The rule:
∵Tumorigenesis is a process of loss of original cell identity&gain of neural stemness, the general stemness determining tumorigenity&pluripotency.
∴tissue stem/progenitor cells are easier to become cancer cells because they are closer to neural stemness
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
∵Tumorigenesis is a process of loss of original cell identity&gain of neural stemness, the general stemness determining tumorigenity&pluripotency.
∴tissue stem/progenitor cells are easier to become cancer cells because they are closer to neural stemness
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
IDH-mutant gliomas arise from glial progenitor cells harboring the initial driver mutation
Identifying the cell of origin that harbors an initial driver mutation is key to understanding tumor evolution and for the development of new treatments. For isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)–mutant glio...
www.science.org
January 21, 2026 at 8:40 AM
The rule:
∵Tumorigenesis is a process of loss of original cell identity&gain of neural stemness, the general stemness determining tumorigenity&pluripotency.
∴tissue stem/progenitor cells are easier to become cancer cells because they are closer to neural stemness
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
∵Tumorigenesis is a process of loss of original cell identity&gain of neural stemness, the general stemness determining tumorigenity&pluripotency.
∴tissue stem/progenitor cells are easier to become cancer cells because they are closer to neural stemness
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
'Increased developmental activity (Sox4), decreased identity (HNF4A)'
This is a latest confirmation for 'tumorigenesis represents the process of loss of original cell identity&gain of neural stemness'
because Sox4 is embryonic neural and Hnf4a is hepatic.
This is a latest confirmation for 'tumorigenesis represents the process of loss of original cell identity&gain of neural stemness'
because Sox4 is embryonic neural and Hnf4a is hepatic.
January 20, 2026 at 12:04 PM
'Increased developmental activity (Sox4), decreased identity (HNF4A)'
This is a latest confirmation for 'tumorigenesis represents the process of loss of original cell identity&gain of neural stemness'
because Sox4 is embryonic neural and Hnf4a is hepatic.
This is a latest confirmation for 'tumorigenesis represents the process of loss of original cell identity&gain of neural stemness'
because Sox4 is embryonic neural and Hnf4a is hepatic.
'Increased developmental activity (Sox4), decreased identity (HNF4A)'
This is a latest confirmation for 'tumorigenesis represents the process of loss of original cell identity&gain of neural stemness'
because Sox4 is embryonic neural and Hnf4a is hepatic.
@cp-cell.bsky.social
This is a latest confirmation for 'tumorigenesis represents the process of loss of original cell identity&gain of neural stemness'
because Sox4 is embryonic neural and Hnf4a is hepatic.
@cp-cell.bsky.social
January 20, 2026 at 12:00 PM
'Increased developmental activity (Sox4), decreased identity (HNF4A)'
This is a latest confirmation for 'tumorigenesis represents the process of loss of original cell identity&gain of neural stemness'
because Sox4 is embryonic neural and Hnf4a is hepatic.
@cp-cell.bsky.social
This is a latest confirmation for 'tumorigenesis represents the process of loss of original cell identity&gain of neural stemness'
because Sox4 is embryonic neural and Hnf4a is hepatic.
@cp-cell.bsky.social
Neural stuff is the most fundamental stuff in animal world.
It determines nearly everything in animals/humans, including embryogenesis and cancer. @science.org
It determines nearly everything in animals/humans, including embryogenesis and cancer. @science.org
January 19, 2026 at 11:22 AM
Neural stuff is the most fundamental stuff in animal world.
It determines nearly everything in animals/humans, including embryogenesis and cancer. @science.org
It determines nearly everything in animals/humans, including embryogenesis and cancer. @science.org
Not just a pain in the bone
Growth factors secreted by sensory nerves promote fracture healing
www.science.org
January 19, 2026 at 11:19 AM
Most cancer promoting genes are embryonic neural genes, incl. KRAS&SMARCA5.
They confer cancer cell with neural stemness, which determines pluripotency&tumorigenicity.
Loss of SMARCA5 inhibits tumorigenicity&pluripotency, leading to differentiation (®eneration)
They confer cancer cell with neural stemness, which determines pluripotency&tumorigenicity.
Loss of SMARCA5 inhibits tumorigenicity&pluripotency, leading to differentiation (®eneration)
January 14, 2026 at 7:57 AM
Most cancer promoting genes are embryonic neural genes, incl. KRAS&SMARCA5.
They confer cancer cell with neural stemness, which determines pluripotency&tumorigenicity.
Loss of SMARCA5 inhibits tumorigenicity&pluripotency, leading to differentiation (®eneration)
They confer cancer cell with neural stemness, which determines pluripotency&tumorigenicity.
Loss of SMARCA5 inhibits tumorigenicity&pluripotency, leading to differentiation (®eneration)
Those who believe that EMT can help understand cancer&other things should first figure out
what the hell is the basis on which EMT is established as a concept/rule
@natcancer.nature.com
@mskcancercenter.bsky.social
nature.com/articles/s43...
nature.com/articles/s43...
@cedric-blanpain.bsky.social
what the hell is the basis on which EMT is established as a concept/rule
@natcancer.nature.com
@mskcancercenter.bsky.social
nature.com/articles/s43...
nature.com/articles/s43...
@cedric-blanpain.bsky.social
TGFβ induces an atypical EMT to evade immune mechanosurveillance in lung adenocarcinoma dormant metastasis - Nature Cancer
Wang et al. report that LUAD cells entering dormancy transition into a TGFβ-induced atypical mesenchymal state characterized by a soft spheroidal morphology and strong EMT signature, which protects di...
nature.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:05 AM
Those who believe that EMT can help understand cancer&other things should first figure out
what the hell is the basis on which EMT is established as a concept/rule
@natcancer.nature.com
@mskcancercenter.bsky.social
nature.com/articles/s43...
nature.com/articles/s43...
@cedric-blanpain.bsky.social
what the hell is the basis on which EMT is established as a concept/rule
@natcancer.nature.com
@mskcancercenter.bsky.social
nature.com/articles/s43...
nature.com/articles/s43...
@cedric-blanpain.bsky.social
But how much has cancer cell been actually understood? @cellpress.bsky.social
January 7, 2026 at 6:24 AM
But how much has cancer cell been actually understood? @cellpress.bsky.social
'..focused on the cancer cell itself ..enabled new generations of ..drugs that have benefited some patients with certain forms of cancer. Frustratingly, few of these new therapeutic strategies are broadly beneficial across..cancers' @cellpress.bsky.social
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Embracing cancer complexity: Hallmarks of systemic disease
Cancer is a systemic disease in more than one dimension, in terms of its evolutionary
course, direct crosstalk with the microenvironment, and intricate communication with
the macro-environment. This b...
www.cell.com
January 7, 2026 at 6:20 AM
'..focused on the cancer cell itself ..enabled new generations of ..drugs that have benefited some patients with certain forms of cancer. Frustratingly, few of these new therapeutic strategies are broadly beneficial across..cancers' @cellpress.bsky.social
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...
Pro-tumorigenic regulatory networks are part of reg. networks of neural stemness (or embryonic neural reg. nets).
‘Understanding Cancer as a Systemic Disease by Understanding Neural Stemness as the Core Property of Cancer Cell’
preprints.org/manuscript/2...
‘Understanding Cancer as a Systemic Disease by Understanding Neural Stemness as the Core Property of Cancer Cell’
preprints.org/manuscript/2...
January 7, 2026 at 6:18 AM
Pro-tumorigenic regulatory networks are part of reg. networks of neural stemness (or embryonic neural reg. nets).
‘Understanding Cancer as a Systemic Disease by Understanding Neural Stemness as the Core Property of Cancer Cell’
preprints.org/manuscript/2...
‘Understanding Cancer as a Systemic Disease by Understanding Neural Stemness as the Core Property of Cancer Cell’
preprints.org/manuscript/2...
ASCL1, NEUROD1...appear as different symbols.
If considering these genes are all embryonic neural genes, do they still indicate cancer subtypes?
Making appropriate association between gene symbols and cellular property is critical for understanding cancer.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
If considering these genes are all embryonic neural genes, do they still indicate cancer subtypes?
Making appropriate association between gene symbols and cellular property is critical for understanding cancer.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Analysis of SCLC subtype markers (ASCL1, NEUROD1, POU2F3, YAP1), DLL3, OTP, and TTF1 in 300 lung carcinoids and enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours
In this study, we examined the expression of small cell carcinoma subtype markers (ASCL1, NEUROD1, POU2F3 and YAP1) and DLL3 in carcinoid/neuroendocrine tumours of the lung, small bowel and pancreas....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
January 7, 2026 at 6:14 AM
ASCL1, NEUROD1...appear as different symbols.
If considering these genes are all embryonic neural genes, do they still indicate cancer subtypes?
Making appropriate association between gene symbols and cellular property is critical for understanding cancer.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
If considering these genes are all embryonic neural genes, do they still indicate cancer subtypes?
Making appropriate association between gene symbols and cellular property is critical for understanding cancer.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Most cancer promoting genes are embryonic neural genes, incl. MSI2. They confer cancer cell with neural stemness that unifies cancer cell phenotypic traits.
‘.Understanding Neural Stemness as the Core Property of Cancer Cell’
preprints.org/manuscript/2...
@mskcancercenter.bsky.social
‘.Understanding Neural Stemness as the Core Property of Cancer Cell’
preprints.org/manuscript/2...
@mskcancercenter.bsky.social
January 7, 2026 at 6:11 AM
Most cancer promoting genes are embryonic neural genes, incl. MSI2. They confer cancer cell with neural stemness that unifies cancer cell phenotypic traits.
‘.Understanding Neural Stemness as the Core Property of Cancer Cell’
preprints.org/manuscript/2...
@mskcancercenter.bsky.social
‘.Understanding Neural Stemness as the Core Property of Cancer Cell’
preprints.org/manuscript/2...
@mskcancercenter.bsky.social
The rule:
GOF mutations in neural stemness genes or/and LOF mutations in differentiation/tissue specific genes increase cancer risk,
LOF mutations in neural stemness genes or/and GOF mutations in differentiation/tissue specific genes decrease cancer risk. @mskcancercenter.bsky.social
GOF mutations in neural stemness genes or/and LOF mutations in differentiation/tissue specific genes increase cancer risk,
LOF mutations in neural stemness genes or/and GOF mutations in differentiation/tissue specific genes decrease cancer risk. @mskcancercenter.bsky.social
Scientists have known for decades that there are gene mutations that increase your risk of developing cancer. But there is also a genetic variant that could reduce the risk of developing certain #bloodcancers, according to new research co-led by scientists from MSK.
Learn more: bit.ly/4sIJ5DQ
Learn more: bit.ly/4sIJ5DQ
January 7, 2026 at 6:04 AM
The rule:
GOF mutations in neural stemness genes or/and LOF mutations in differentiation/tissue specific genes increase cancer risk,
LOF mutations in neural stemness genes or/and GOF mutations in differentiation/tissue specific genes decrease cancer risk. @mskcancercenter.bsky.social
GOF mutations in neural stemness genes or/and LOF mutations in differentiation/tissue specific genes increase cancer risk,
LOF mutations in neural stemness genes or/and GOF mutations in differentiation/tissue specific genes decrease cancer risk. @mskcancercenter.bsky.social
Cross-pollination without Developmental biology🫣
Dev. biol. explains how the most complex systems are generated
but very funny it is not considered in the book,
but the undefinable epithelial-mesenchymal transition stuff was seriously discussed in 4 chapters of the book to explain cancer.
WOW.🤔
Dev. biol. explains how the most complex systems are generated
but very funny it is not considered in the book,
but the undefinable epithelial-mesenchymal transition stuff was seriously discussed in 4 chapters of the book to explain cancer.
WOW.🤔
WOW. A NEW CANCER BOOK
Cancer Systems Biology is..to encourage cross-pollination of ..multiple disciplines..systems/mathematical biologists, biophysicists, clinicians..in decoding a systems-level emergent view of cancer...EMT.
but
NO DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
academic.oup.com/book/61412
Cancer Systems Biology is..to encourage cross-pollination of ..multiple disciplines..systems/mathematical biologists, biophysicists, clinicians..in decoding a systems-level emergent view of cancer...EMT.
but
NO DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
academic.oup.com/book/61412
January 3, 2026 at 7:37 AM
Cross-pollination without Developmental biology🫣
Dev. biol. explains how the most complex systems are generated
but very funny it is not considered in the book,
but the undefinable epithelial-mesenchymal transition stuff was seriously discussed in 4 chapters of the book to explain cancer.
WOW.🤔
Dev. biol. explains how the most complex systems are generated
but very funny it is not considered in the book,
but the undefinable epithelial-mesenchymal transition stuff was seriously discussed in 4 chapters of the book to explain cancer.
WOW.🤔
WOW. A NEW CANCER BOOK
Cancer Systems Biology is..to encourage cross-pollination of ..multiple disciplines..systems/mathematical biologists, biophysicists, clinicians..in decoding a systems-level emergent view of cancer...EMT.
but
NO DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
academic.oup.com/book/61412
Cancer Systems Biology is..to encourage cross-pollination of ..multiple disciplines..systems/mathematical biologists, biophysicists, clinicians..in decoding a systems-level emergent view of cancer...EMT.
but
NO DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
academic.oup.com/book/61412
January 3, 2026 at 7:33 AM
WOW. A NEW CANCER BOOK
Cancer Systems Biology is..to encourage cross-pollination of ..multiple disciplines..systems/mathematical biologists, biophysicists, clinicians..in decoding a systems-level emergent view of cancer...EMT.
but
NO DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
academic.oup.com/book/61412
Cancer Systems Biology is..to encourage cross-pollination of ..multiple disciplines..systems/mathematical biologists, biophysicists, clinicians..in decoding a systems-level emergent view of cancer...EMT.
but
NO DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
academic.oup.com/book/61412
tSCs mean tissue stemness, ESC stemness, other stemness, or nothing comparable? Any ideas?
'SOX2High tSCs...' is a clear indication that cancer stemness is neural stemness.
SOX2 is an obvious marker connecting cancer stemness, ESC&neural stemness, &pluripotency.
@cp-cancercell.bsky.social
'SOX2High tSCs...' is a clear indication that cancer stemness is neural stemness.
SOX2 is an obvious marker connecting cancer stemness, ESC&neural stemness, &pluripotency.
@cp-cancercell.bsky.social
Online Now: Tumor-initiating stem cells fine-tune the plasticity of neutrophils to sculpt a protective niche
Tumor-initiating stem cells fine-tune the plasticity of neutrophils to sculpt a protective niche
Guo et al. show that anti-PD-L1 + CD40 agonist therapy activates anti-tumor functions in neutrophils within the tumor stroma. Conversely, SOX2High tumor-initiating stem cells at the tumor-stroma interface suppress interferon responses and maintain immunosuppressive functions of neutrophils via the arachidonic acid-prostaglandin E2 axis, forming a protective niche.
dlvr.it
January 2, 2026 at 10:55 AM
tSCs mean tissue stemness, ESC stemness, other stemness, or nothing comparable? Any ideas?
'SOX2High tSCs...' is a clear indication that cancer stemness is neural stemness.
SOX2 is an obvious marker connecting cancer stemness, ESC&neural stemness, &pluripotency.
@cp-cancercell.bsky.social
'SOX2High tSCs...' is a clear indication that cancer stemness is neural stemness.
SOX2 is an obvious marker connecting cancer stemness, ESC&neural stemness, &pluripotency.
@cp-cancercell.bsky.social
'inhibition of MSI2..for blood cancer prevention'
Cancer promoting pathways belong to the same regulatory network, ie, the reg net of neural stemness.
Any big difference between targeting MSI2 or other factors in the same net?
Cancer is a problem of cell property change, not merely mol. symbols.
Cancer promoting pathways belong to the same regulatory network, ie, the reg net of neural stemness.
Any big difference between targeting MSI2 or other factors in the same net?
Cancer is a problem of cell property change, not merely mol. symbols.
January 2, 2026 at 10:51 AM
'inhibition of MSI2..for blood cancer prevention'
Cancer promoting pathways belong to the same regulatory network, ie, the reg net of neural stemness.
Any big difference between targeting MSI2 or other factors in the same net?
Cancer is a problem of cell property change, not merely mol. symbols.
Cancer promoting pathways belong to the same regulatory network, ie, the reg net of neural stemness.
Any big difference between targeting MSI2 or other factors in the same net?
Cancer is a problem of cell property change, not merely mol. symbols.
As I generalized before, most cancer promoting genes are embryonic neural genes, incl. MSI2, which confer cancer cell with neural stemness that unifies cancer cell phenotypic traits.
‘.by Understanding Neural Stemness as the Core Property of Cancer Cell’
preprints.org/manuscript/2...
‘.by Understanding Neural Stemness as the Core Property of Cancer Cell’
preprints.org/manuscript/2...
January 2, 2026 at 10:29 AM
As I generalized before, most cancer promoting genes are embryonic neural genes, incl. MSI2, which confer cancer cell with neural stemness that unifies cancer cell phenotypic traits.
‘.by Understanding Neural Stemness as the Core Property of Cancer Cell’
preprints.org/manuscript/2...
‘.by Understanding Neural Stemness as the Core Property of Cancer Cell’
preprints.org/manuscript/2...
Cancer is the manifestation of the power of the rules dictated by evolution.
‘Understanding Cancer as a Systemic Disease by Understanding Neural Stemness as the Core Property of Cancer Cell’
preprints.org/manuscript/2...
‘Understanding Cancer as a Systemic Disease by Understanding Neural Stemness as the Core Property of Cancer Cell’
preprints.org/manuscript/2...
January 1, 2026 at 7:43 AM
Cancer is the manifestation of the power of the rules dictated by evolution.
‘Understanding Cancer as a Systemic Disease by Understanding Neural Stemness as the Core Property of Cancer Cell’
preprints.org/manuscript/2...
‘Understanding Cancer as a Systemic Disease by Understanding Neural Stemness as the Core Property of Cancer Cell’
preprints.org/manuscript/2...
'New theory needed'
Reminds of research about pluripotent feature of cancer cells during 1960-90.
Pluripotency suggests a key feature in understanding cancer complexity and developing cancer therapy.
Sometimes, theory is perhaps already there. But it won't wave at you and say, "Hi, I'm here"😂
Reminds of research about pluripotent feature of cancer cells during 1960-90.
Pluripotency suggests a key feature in understanding cancer complexity and developing cancer therapy.
Sometimes, theory is perhaps already there. But it won't wave at you and say, "Hi, I'm here"😂
January 1, 2026 at 7:41 AM
'New theory needed'
Reminds of research about pluripotent feature of cancer cells during 1960-90.
Pluripotency suggests a key feature in understanding cancer complexity and developing cancer therapy.
Sometimes, theory is perhaps already there. But it won't wave at you and say, "Hi, I'm here"😂
Reminds of research about pluripotent feature of cancer cells during 1960-90.
Pluripotency suggests a key feature in understanding cancer complexity and developing cancer therapy.
Sometimes, theory is perhaps already there. But it won't wave at you and say, "Hi, I'm here"😂