AACR 2026: Mapping the tumor landscape: Spatial Multi-omics analysis reveals immune and stromal heterogeneity across early and late-stage NSCLC (April 2026)

May 2026

Using a combination of modalities such as spatial transcriptomics (STx) and sequential multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) on different stages of non-small cell lung cancer samples we investigated spatial distribution, phenotype, function, and gene expression profile. In spite of immune cell presence stage IIIB tumor has evolved and adapted to thrive under pressure with upregulation of PD-L1 on epithelial cells leading to immune evasion. All three tumor types were found to have M2 macrophage population which is prognostically undesirable. The tertiary lymphoid structures had different cell composition between stages IB and IIB tumors, where as the stage IIIB tumor was devoid of TLS. Unbiased differential gene expression analysis across three tumor types show unique cluster for stage IIIB tumor.