Spatial multi-omics analyses of the tumor immune microenvironment: advances and novel therapeutic avenues.
7 affiliations
- 1Department of Urology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, #36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, China.
- 2Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, #36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, China.
- 3Medical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, #7 Mulan Road, Xihu District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, China.
- 4Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, #36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, China. [email protected].
- 5College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, #77 Puhe Road, Shenbei New District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110122, China. [email protected].
- 6Department of Rehabilitation, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, #36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, China. [email protected].
- 7Department of Urology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, #36 Sanhao Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110004, China. [email protected].
Abstract
The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) is a spatially organized ecosystem in which the distribution and interaction of cellular and molecular components have a significant impact on disease progression and therapeutic response. Traditionally, bulk analyses have failed to capture the critical spatial context governing these dynamics. The latest breakthroughs in spatial multi-omics technologies, including spatial transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics, have completely transformed our ability to characterize the TIME at unprecedented resolution. These advanced platforms enable precise mapping of immune cell distribution, reconstruction of intercellular communication networks, and identification of pattern structures such as tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS). We reviewed the current experimental methods of spatial omics and highlights how their applications provide novel insights into tumor biology. We further discussed how insights from spatial profiling could inform the development of novel therapeutic strategies aimed at actively remodeling the TIME, provide information for prognosis prediction, and shape responses to treatments such as immunotherapy. Despite the challenges in standardization and clinical translation, spatial multi-omics provides an indispensable dimension for understanding tumor immunobiology, paving the way for more precise tumor diagnosis, prognosis and treatment methods.
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BibTeX
@article{wang2026spatial,
title = {{Spatial multi-omics analyses of the tumor immune microenvironment: advances and novel therapeutic avenues.}},
author = {Haoyu Wang and Yuze Zhu and Maoqian Fang and Xiaoli Zhang and Peng Su and Hongyuan Liang and Dan Dong and Lin Li and Kefeng Wang},
journal = {Molecular cancer},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12943-026-02740-4},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42902370},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Spatial multi-omics analyses of the tumor immune microenvironment: advances and novel therapeutic avenues.
AU - Haoyu Wang
AU - Yuze Zhu
AU - Maoqian Fang
AU - Xiaoli Zhang
AU - Peng Su
AU - Hongyuan Liang
AU - Dan Dong
AU - Lin Li
AU - Kefeng Wang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Molecular cancer
DO - 10.1186/s12943-026-02740-4
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42902370
AB - The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) is a spatially organized ecosystem in which the distribution and interaction of cellular and molecular components have a significant impact on disease progression and therapeutic response. Traditionally, bulk analyses have failed to capture the critical spatial context governing these dynamics. The latest breakthroughs in spatial multi-omics technologies, including spatial transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics, have completely transformed our ability to characterize the TIME at unprecedented resolution. These advanced platforms enable precise mapping of immune cell distribution, reconstruction of intercellular communication networks, and identification of pattern structures such as tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS). We reviewed the current experimental methods of spatial omics and highlights how their applications provide novel insights into tumor biology. We further discussed how insights from spatial profiling could inform the development of novel therapeutic strategies aimed at actively remodeling the TIME, provide information for prognosis prediction, and shape responses to treatments such as immunotherapy. Despite the challenges in standardization and clinical translation, spatial multi-omics provides an indispensable dimension for understanding tumor immunobiology, paving the way for more precise tumor diagnosis, prognosis and treatment methods.
SN - 1476-4598
ER -