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Review
. 2024 Jun 8;150(6):296.
doi: 10.1007/s00432-024-05816-0.

Spatial transcriptomics in cancer research and potential clinical impact: a narrative review

Michael A Cilento  1   2   3 , Christopher J Sweeney  4 , Lisa M Butler  4   5
Affiliations
Review

Spatial transcriptomics in cancer research and potential clinical impact: a narrative review

Michael A Cilento et al. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. .

Abstract

Spatial transcriptomics (ST) provides novel insights into the tumor microenvironment (TME). ST allows the quantification and illustration of gene expression profiles in the spatial context of tissues, including both the cancer cells and the microenvironment in which they are found. In cancer research, ST has already provided novel insights into cancer metastasis, prognosis, and immunotherapy responsiveness. The clinical precision oncology application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) and RNA profiling of tumors relies on bulk methods that lack spatial context. The ability to preserve spatial information is now possible, as it allows us to capture tumor heterogeneity and multifocality. In this narrative review, we summarize precision oncology, discuss tumor sequencing in the clinic, and review the available ST research methods, including seqFISH, MERFISH (Vizgen), CosMx SMI (NanoString), Xenium (10x), Visium (10x), Stereo-seq (STOmics), and GeoMx DSP (NanoString). We then review the current ST literature with a focus on solid tumors organized by tumor type. Finally, we conclude by addressing an important question: how will spatial transcriptomics ultimately help patients with cancer?

Keywords: Genetics; Precision oncology; Solid tumors; Spatial transcriptomics; Tumor microenvironment.

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Conflict of interest statement

Michael A Cilento: declares no potential competing interests. Christopher J Sweeney: Consulting or Advisory Role: Sanofi, Janssen, Astellas Pharma, Bayer, Genentech, Pfizer, Lilly, MDS, Point Biopharma; Research Funding: Janssen Biotech (Inst), Astellas Pharma (Inst), Sanofi (Inst), Bayer (Inst), Patents, Royalties, Other Intellectual Property: Parthenolide (Indiana University): dimethylaminoparthenolide (Leuchemix); Exelixis: Abiraterone plus cabozantinib combination; FRAS1 SNP and tristetraprolin as biomarkers of lethal prostate cancer. Stock or Other Ownership: Leuchemix. Lisa M Butler: declares no potential competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Complimentary bulk and spatial methods have the potential to accelerate the discovery and clinical translation of research insights from testing tumor tissue
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Overview of spatial transcriptomic insights into solid tumors
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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