Cancer is quantum: Studies show cancer cells may occupy limited, shared states like quantized energy levels

Andrea Califano, a physicist-turned-biologist at Columbia University, has been studying cancer through a quantum lens. He explains that each type of cancer has a limited number of cellular states, similar to how electrons occupy quantized energy levels in an atom. The key insight is that these states are conserved across patients with the same type of cancer.

Instead of tailoring treatments to each patient's unique mutations, Califano suggests that a combination of therapies targeting these shared states may be effective for virtually every patient. This approach could potentially eliminate the need for personalized medicine.

In a groundbreaking study published in Nature Genetics, Califano's lab identified 112 unique states in over 10,000 cancer samples across 20 different cancer types. This finding supports the idea that cancer cells occupy limited, shared states. However, the complexity of targeting these states remains a challenge.

For example, in pancreatic cancer, every tumor contains cells representing the same six distinct states. The differences among patients lie in the fraction of cells in each state, which seems to be influenced by mutations. In rare pediatric brain cancer called diffuse midline glioma, researchers found three drugs targeting all seven possible states, suggesting a glimmer of hope for this universally fatal disease.

Califano's team continues to refine their approach, testing predictions in the lab and in clinical trials. The ultimate goal is to develop therapies that can effectively target these hyperconserved, quantized cancer states, potentially revolutionizing cancer treatment.