Current state and future prospects of spatial biology in colorectal cancer

Over the past century, colorectal cancer (CRC) has become one of the most devastating cancers impacting the human population. To gain a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving this solid tumor, researchers have increasingly turned their attention to the tumor microenvironment (TME)....

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Main Authors: Francisco G. Carranza, Fernando C. Diaz, Maria Ninova, Enrique Velazquez-Villarreal
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2024.1513821/full
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author Francisco G. Carranza
Fernando C. Diaz
Maria Ninova
Enrique Velazquez-Villarreal
Enrique Velazquez-Villarreal
author_facet Francisco G. Carranza
Fernando C. Diaz
Maria Ninova
Enrique Velazquez-Villarreal
Enrique Velazquez-Villarreal
author_sort Francisco G. Carranza
collection DOAJ
description Over the past century, colorectal cancer (CRC) has become one of the most devastating cancers impacting the human population. To gain a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving this solid tumor, researchers have increasingly turned their attention to the tumor microenvironment (TME). Spatial transcriptomics and proteomics have emerged as a particularly powerful technology for deciphering the complexity of CRC tumors, given that the TME and its spatial organization are critical determinants of disease progression and treatment response. Spatial transcriptomics enables high-resolution mapping of the whole transcriptome. While spatial proteomics maps protein expression and function across tissue sections. Together, they provide a detailed view of the molecular landscape and cellular interactions within the TME. In this review, we delve into recent advances in spatial biology technologies applied to CRC research, highlighting both the methodologies and the challenges associated with their use, such as the substantial tissue heterogeneity characteristic of CRC. We also discuss the limitations of current approaches and the need for novel computational tools to manage and interpret these complex datasets. To conclude, we emphasize the importance of further developing and integrating spatial transcriptomics into CRC precision medicine strategies to enhance therapeutic targeting and improve patient outcomes.
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publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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series Frontiers in Oncology
spelling doaj-art-148f6764cc4145d8b0521fdf2e9f2fd22025-08-20T02:40:10ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oncology2234-943X2024-12-011410.3389/fonc.2024.15138211513821Current state and future prospects of spatial biology in colorectal cancerFrancisco G. Carranza0Fernando C. Diaz1Maria Ninova2Enrique Velazquez-Villarreal3Enrique Velazquez-Villarreal4Department of Integrative Translational Sciences, City of Hope, Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, United StatesLineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United StatesDepartment of Biochemistry, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United StatesDepartment of Integrative Translational Sciences, City of Hope, Beckman Research Institute, Duarte, CA, United StatesCity of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, United StatesOver the past century, colorectal cancer (CRC) has become one of the most devastating cancers impacting the human population. To gain a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving this solid tumor, researchers have increasingly turned their attention to the tumor microenvironment (TME). Spatial transcriptomics and proteomics have emerged as a particularly powerful technology for deciphering the complexity of CRC tumors, given that the TME and its spatial organization are critical determinants of disease progression and treatment response. Spatial transcriptomics enables high-resolution mapping of the whole transcriptome. While spatial proteomics maps protein expression and function across tissue sections. Together, they provide a detailed view of the molecular landscape and cellular interactions within the TME. In this review, we delve into recent advances in spatial biology technologies applied to CRC research, highlighting both the methodologies and the challenges associated with their use, such as the substantial tissue heterogeneity characteristic of CRC. We also discuss the limitations of current approaches and the need for novel computational tools to manage and interpret these complex datasets. To conclude, we emphasize the importance of further developing and integrating spatial transcriptomics into CRC precision medicine strategies to enhance therapeutic targeting and improve patient outcomes.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2024.1513821/fullcolorectal cancerspatial transcriptomicsspatial proteomicsbioinformaticsgenomicspersonalized medicine
spellingShingle Francisco G. Carranza
Fernando C. Diaz
Maria Ninova
Enrique Velazquez-Villarreal
Enrique Velazquez-Villarreal
Current state and future prospects of spatial biology in colorectal cancer
Frontiers in Oncology
colorectal cancer
spatial transcriptomics
spatial proteomics
bioinformatics
genomics
personalized medicine
title Current state and future prospects of spatial biology in colorectal cancer
title_full Current state and future prospects of spatial biology in colorectal cancer
title_fullStr Current state and future prospects of spatial biology in colorectal cancer
title_full_unstemmed Current state and future prospects of spatial biology in colorectal cancer
title_short Current state and future prospects of spatial biology in colorectal cancer
title_sort current state and future prospects of spatial biology in colorectal cancer
topic colorectal cancer
spatial transcriptomics
spatial proteomics
bioinformatics
genomics
personalized medicine
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2024.1513821/full
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AT enriquevelazquezvillarreal currentstateandfutureprospectsofspatialbiologyincolorectalcancer
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