Yuanchang Fang

Computational Biology | Cancer Research | PhD candidate @MBPatUofT @uoft | MSc @UBC

[Bo Wang @BoWang87]

Today we’re announcing X-Cell — Xaira’s first step toward a virtual cell. 🧬

A foundation model that predicts how gene expression changes under causal perturbations — across cell types, conditions, and even unseen biology.

This is not trained on observational atlases.

It is trained on interventions.

🧵👇

[Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Research @PMResearch_UHN]

Researchers @UHN @pmcancercentre analyzed 1,294 blood samples from 11 cancer types to build a comprehensive atlas of DNA methylation patterns, advancing pan-cancer detection and monitoring using liquid biopsy: https://t.co/Zyz50tJ5Ra
@UHN_Research @MatLupien @hansenhe7 @PughLab

[Anirban Maitra @Aiims1742]

New @NatureGenet paper by @ciacobu @MSKCancerCenter on genomic evolution of #PancreaticCancer at single cell resolution. Genomic heterogeneity of KRAS allelic balance likely explains a lot of de novo heterogeneity in response to KRAS inhibitors.
https://t.co/0EodX00voR

[Eric Topol @EricTopol]

The ability to detect and assess cell-free tumor DNA will keep getting better, ultimately making "liquid biopsy" a standard of early detection and care. A new report @CellCellPress today highlights progress in tDNA sequencing value for a form of lung cancer
https://t.co/aSk0VRcbI5 @CharlesSwanton

[Anirban Maitra @Aiims1742]

.@NatureGenet paper by @BizarMd @columbiacancer
Cellular states associated with metastatic organotropism & survival in patients with #PancreaticCancer
“pre-existing cellular states within primary tumors appear to guide organ-specific metastatic relapse”
https://t.co/omZzPO6P78

[Anirban Maitra @Aiims1742]

This is a fantastic and comprehensive review on cell free DNA fragmentomics in cancer. Out in @Cancer_Cell
https://t.co/4qR6IF1w8G

[Anirban Maitra @Aiims1742]

In @Nature from @StanfordMed by @max_diehn & @AshAlizadeh
An ultrasensitive method for detection of cell-free RNA
https://t.co/rPdfxhcMPn
RARE-seq has a limit of detection of 0.05%, identifies ~30% of stage 1 lung cancers, and provides information on resistance mechanisms.

[International Society of Liquid Biopsy @isliquidbiopsy]

🚨 cfRNA is Here — and It’s a Game Changer! 🧬🩸
@max_diehn et al., @Nature 2025

🔗 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-08834-1

👏 From one of our #ISLB awardees!

🔍 Key Highlights:

✅ RAREseq: A new method for ultrasensitive cfRNA profiling 💡

✅ cfRNA detects early-stage NSCLC with higher sensitivity than ctDNA 📈

✅ Reveals genetic & non-genetic resistance to EGFR TKIs in plasma 🧪

✅ Captures tumor-specific expression patterns beyond mutation status 🔬

✅ Enables real-time disease monitoring in patients on targeted therapy ⏱️

💡 cfRNA is poised to complement and even surpass ctDNA in key clinical settings.

@ChristianRolfo @ElJanLe @DrYukselUrun
@UmbertoMalapel1 @drgandara @MJOSESERRANO19

#LiquidBiopsy #cfRNA #NSCLC #EGFR #CancerDiagnostics #PrecisionOncology #ISLB 🚀

[Vinod BalachandranMD @TheVinodLab]

#mRNAvaccines for #PancreaticCancer (PDAC) PART4

1. Out today in @Nature https://t.co/NhpkJeaQYb

🧵👇🏽

[1/23]

[Eric Topol @EricTopol]

The human proteomic revolution proceeds with high-throughput assessment, AI analytics, correlation with health and disease, drug interactions, biomarkers
https://t.co/VsYD6vGxXp

[Anirban Maitra @Aiims1742]

Congratulations to @nicholas_navin @MDAndersonNews and the @humancellatlas team for mapping the panorama of the “normal” breast epithelium. And surprise, surprise:
Normal breast tissues harbour rare populations of aneuploid epithelial cells
https://t.co/Lx9p7h2siz
Mean ~3%
Increase with age
Harbor “pathogenic” alterations
Associated with specific epithelial lineages
Congratulations Nick & team!

[Charles Swanton @CharlesSwanton]

ecDNA are rogue genetic material that amplify genes, contribute to treatment resistance and drive genomic heterogeneity. We report on the Origins and impact of extrachromosomal DNA today in @Nature https://t.co/TnMno4AZhU

[Zheng Hu @huzheng1]

Thrilled to share our paper published in @Nature, where we uncover a new process of tumor initiation through a polyclonal-to-monoclonal transition at the @precancerous stage. So proud of my fantastic team (led by @ZhaolianLu ) and incredible collaborators! https://t.co/ARx7aH7Vgq

[Anirban Maitra @Aiims1742]

Great to see the preprint from @owen_sansom published in @CR_AACR
KRAS Loss of Heterozygosity Promotes MAPK-Dependent #PancreaticCancer Initiation and Induces Therapeutic Sensitivity to MEK Inhibition
https://t.co/4MQz6LQl4L
In the KRAS inhibitor era, these findings on the wild type allele status have implications for patient stratification & treatment responses.

[University Health Network @UHN]

Congratulations to the Notta Lab at UHN’s @pmcancercentre for winning the 2023 Employer Impact in Research Award for their work in researching pancreatic cancer 🎉💙

[Jeffrey Zuccato MD PhD @JeffreyZuccato]

Proud to share our work using DNA methylation signatures to predict brain metastasis development from lung adenocarcinoma in @NatureMedicine

https://t.co/XF16b4cepL

We are committed to improving care and outcomes for patients with cancer

[Alex Wyatt @ResearchWyatt]

💡Will #ctDNA serve as a treatment response biomarker in metastatic cancers?
Here’s a thorough evaluation in @CCR_AACR from the RECIST working group, looking at the next steps towards using ctDNA for novel early endpoints in clinical trials and beyond. 👉 https://t.co/VQmuHaWBTw

[NEJM @NEJM]

Pancreatic cysts are often found incidentally on imaging tests for other indications. Imaging, symptom assessment, and laboratory tests can help distinguish benign cysts from those associated with a risk of malignant transformation. Learn more: https://t.co/6bu3uQU0o2

[Yuanchang Fang @YCsaysHi]

@LabNotta @marathonofhope @UHN_Research @OICR_news Thank you!😊

[Anirban Maitra @Aiims1742]

New preprint from @ciacobu @CpcrMsk
Genomic evolution of #PancreaticCancer at single-cell resolution
https://t.co/h1w4FWX8V1
@EileenMOReilly @CentralParkWMD @benjraphael
This study sequenced 137,491 single-nucleus DNA libraries from 24 pancreatic cancers, including primary tumors, metastatic cancers from rapid autopsy samples, and longitudinal samples from patients who had recurrence. Incredible dataset mapping evolutionary trajectories in this cancer.