Abstract 1710: Spatial transcriptomics and multiplexed imaging to explore tumor heterogeneity and immune complexity

Abstract

Abstract Spatial transcriptomics (ST) and CO-Detection by indEXing (CODEX) are becoming the leading transformative approaches for studying spatially resolved tumor heterogeneity and immune complexity. To explore the application of these two cutting-edge technologies and to further investigate the complexities of tumor microenvironment, we applied 10x Visium Gene Expression platform and Akoya CODEX platform on surgical resections from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), breast cancer (BRCA), and clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC) patients. A total of 30+ protein markers were screened, verified, and conjugated as CODEX antibodies for the 3 types of cancers. Tumor microenvironment was vividly revealed by a set of cancer markers, immune markers, and stroma cells markers on a single ST slide and a single CODEX image. Notably, the distinct immune microenvironment was observed between tumor nests in the neighborhood in terms of cell types, number of cells, and cell distribution patterns. This work highlights the importance of direct visualization for tumor heterogeneity. It also provides a significant insight for understanding tumor complexity and a promising opportunity to benefit personalized medicine. Citation Format: Siqi Chen, Andrew Shinkle, Yanyan Zhao, Chia-Kuei Mo, Andrew Houston, Preet Lal, John M. Herndon, Ryan C. Fields, William Gillanders, Feng Chen, Li Ding. Spatial transcriptomics and multiplexed imaging to explore tumor heterogeneity and immune complexity [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 1710.