This research study utilizes imaging mass cytometry to map the complex cellular landscape of triple-negative breast cancer and identify markers that predict success with immunotherapy. By analyzing nearly two million cells from patients in a randomized trial, scientists discovered that the spatial organization and proliferation of specific immune cells before treatment are primary indicators of a positive response. The study highlights how the multicellular structure of a tumor evolves during therapy, noting that high levels of proliferating T cells correlate with recovery. Conversely, the presence of CD15+ cancer cells and specific plasma cell interactions on-treatment often signal resistance to therapy. Ultimately, these findings suggest that examining the physical interactions between cancer and immune cells can significantly improve the precision of cancer treatments.

References:

• Wang, X.Q., Danenberg, E., Huang, CS. et al. Spatial predictors of immunotherapy response in triple-negative breast cancer. Nature 621, 868–876 (2023). doi.org