Abstract 6216: Novel whole transcriptome spatial transcriptomics technology reveals CAF/TAM-mediated basement membrane remodeling at the invasive front

Key Points

• This study aims to analyze the tumor microenvironment and its effects on basement membrane remodeling in various cancers.
• Used formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues stained for H&E.
• Employed spatial transcriptomics to assess transcriptomic profiles.
• Visualized data using an interactive 10x Genomics workspace.
• Analyzed molecular changes near the tumor invasive front and quantified expression of BM and TME markers.
• Correlated molecular findings with local cell type compositions.
• Detected significant alterations in laminins and metalloproteases near tumor invasive fronts.
• Noted changes in BM markers even with intact myoepithelial layers, indicating early tumor progression.
• Hypoxia-adapted cancer cells recruited CAFs and TAMs, which released metalloproteases.
• Observed exhausted T-cell phenotypes in tumor regions, suggesting immune evasion.