Study of the spatial transcriptome provides new insights into the childhood cancer neuroblastoma
CRIG researchers have succeeded in mapping the gene activity of the entire neuroblastoma microenvironment. The resulting insights may offer interesting targets for new treatments.
Neuroblastoma is the most common cancer in infants and responsible for 15% of all childhood cancer deaths. Chemotherapy and surgery are the cornerstones of treatment, but they have significant side effects and are not effective for all forms of the tumor. Therefore, there is a significant need for targets for new treatments.
To make this possible, an international team of researchers, led by CRIG group leader Prof. Jimmy Van den Eynden, used the new spatial transcriptomics technology in tumor samples from two young neuroblastoma patients. This is the first time this technology has been applied to neuroblastoma, and the results are promising. For example, several new communication channels were discovered between tumor cells, immune cells, and other cells present in neuroblastoma tumors. Further research will now focus on better understanding these communication channels and developing treatments based on them.
Our research is remarkable in many ways. This is not only the first spatial transcriptome study on neuroblastoma tumors. We also demonstrated that this new technology makes it possible to gain insights from tumor samples taken years ago, long before this technology existed. It reminds me a bit of the TV series "Cold Case", where crimes are solved years later thanks to new scientific techniques.
- Prof. Jimmy Van den Eynden
The research was conducted by CRIG researchers Joachim Siaw (postdoctoral researcher 2021-2024) and Peter Merseburger (doctoral student). The sample processing took place in the labs of Prof. Ruth Palmer (University of Gothenburg, Sweden) and Prof. David Gisselson Nord (University of Lund, Sweden). The data analysis was performed in Ghent.
Analyzing spatial transcriptomics data presents significant bioinformatics challenges. Each sample contains 4,992 points representing approximately 18,000 genes, totaling nearly 90 million data points that must be analyzed in their full spatial context for each sample
- Peter Merseburger (right on picture, with Joachim Siaw)
The same technology is now also being applied to unravel the mechanism of action of new, experimental treatments for neuroblastoma in mouse models.
Discover the original scientific publication via this link.
Of note, CRIG supported the work of the first author, Dr. Joachim Siaw, in 2023 through a research grant (read more). Funding for such ‘young investigator proof-of-concept’ (YIPOC) grants is provided by CRIG and vzw Kinderkankerfonds through a strategic partnership, and thanks to the support of many donors!