Single-cell ATAC and RNA sequencing reveal pre-existing and persistent subpopulations of cells associated with relapse of prostate cancer

Abstract Prostate cancer is heterogeneous and patients would benefit from methods that stratify those who are likely to respond to systemic therapy. We employed single-cell assays for transposase-accessible chromatin (ATAC) and RNA sequencing in models of early treatment response and resistance to enzalutamide. In doing so, we identified pre-existing and treatment-persistent cell subpopulations that possess transcriptional stem-like features and regenerative potential when subjected to treatment. We found distinct chromatin landscapes associated with enzalutamide treatment and resistance that were linked to alternative transcriptional programs. Transcriptional profiles characteristic of persistent stem-like cells were able to stratify the treatment response of patients. Ultimately, we show that defining changes in chromatin and gene expression in single-cell populations from pre-clinical models can reveal hitherto unrecognized molecular predictors of treatment response. This suggests that the high analytical resolution of pre-clinical models enabled by single-cell methods may powerfully inform clinical decision-making.