HTAN

HTAN stands for the Human Tumor Atlas Network, a collaborative research initiative led by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to create comprehensive, spatially resolved atlases of human cancers. The network brings together researchers from multiple institutions to map the cellular composition, tissue architecture, and molecular states of tumors across scales—from histopathology to single-cell resolution—and to understand how tumor cells interact with their microenvironment during development, progression, and treatment.

HTAN uses a multi-omics and multi-modal approach. Projects generate and integrate data from high-resolution imaging, histology, single-cell genomics and transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics, and spatially resolved assays. Standardized data formats, rich metadata, and robust data-sharing practices are emphasized to enable cross-study comparisons and reproducibility. The resulting atlases aim to capture tumor heterogeneity, clonal evolution, microenvironment dynamics, and mechanisms of therapeutic resistance across cancer types.

Outputs include publicly accessible atlases and associated data resources, analysis tools, and reference maps that researchers can explore to identify biomarkers, track disease progression, and inform precision oncology strategies. HTAN operates as a consortium with participating institutions and governance designed to ensure data quality, reproducibility, and broad access, typically through the HTAN Data Portal and linked cancer-data ecosystems.

Impact and significance: HTAN is intended to transform understanding of tumor biology by providing detailed, navigable maps of cancer that complement existing sequencing and clinical data. By enabling deeper insights into tumor evolution and microenvironmental interactions, HTAN supports research into new diagnostics, prognostics, and therapies.