Landmark study maps spatial organization of cancer-associated fibroblasts across cancers
MD Anderson Research Highlight March 27, 2025
Landmark study maps spatial organization of cancer-associated fibroblasts across cancers
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are essential components of the tumor microenvironment that influence how tumors grow, evade the immune system and respond to therapy. However, their spatial organization and functional diversity are poorly understood. In a pan-cancer spatial multi-omics study, , , Yunhe Liu, Ph.D., and colleagues analyzed over 14 million cells from 10 cancer types using seven state-of-the-art spatial transcriptomic and proteomic platforms. This comprehensive analysis revealed four different spatial CAF subtypes that are conserved across cancer types and exhibit distinct spatial organizational patterns. These patterns are associated with specific tumor immune phenotypes, disease progression and clinical outcomes. The team developed a robust computational framework to identify CAF spatial subtypes based on neighboring cell compositions, enabling systematic analysis of tumor ecosystems and facilitating the study of CAFs and other cell populations in their spatial context. These findings highlight the importance of investigating the spatial organization and intercellular communication networks of different cell types to better understand their functions and to identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Learn more in .
This study represents a milestone in our understanding of CAFs and how cell organization and local cellular communities influence tumor behavior. We hope this knowledge can pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies that target the tumor microenvironment more precisely to improve patient outcomes.