Clinical Report: Combined Single-Cell and Spatial Transcriptomics in CRC

Overview

This study investigates the immune profiles and NKT-Th1 signatures in colorectal cancer (CRC) through single-cell and spatial transcriptomics.

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with limited therapeutic options for the majority of patients who are microsatellite stable (MSS). Understanding immune-related signatures is crucial for predicting responses to immunotherapy.

Data Highlights

No numerical data or trial data provided in the source material.

Key Findings

• Elevated NKT cell infiltration correlates with improved prognosis in CRC.
• NKT and Th1 cell co-localization is mediated by COLLAGEN signaling.
• The NKT and Th1 cell-related gene (NTRG) score quantifies tumor-immune properties.
• High NTRG scores are linked with worse overall survival but stronger immunotherapy response.
• Validation confirmed differential NTRG expression between normal and cancerous tissues.

Clinical Implications

The NTRG score may serve as a potential biomarker for assessing immune landscape and predicting immunotherapy response in CRC patients. Further exploration of NKT and Th1 interactions could inform future therapeutic strategies.

Conclusion

The study provides foundational insights into the immune landscape of colorectal cancer, emphasizing the role of NKT cells and their interaction with Th1 cells in influencing patient outcomes and treatment responses.

Related Resources & Content

1. Frontiers in Immunology, 2026 -- Investigate the heterogeneity of colorectal cancer patients at the single-cell level prior to and subsequent to immunotherapy
2. Journal of Gastroenterology, 2026 -- Single-cell analysis reveals crosstalk between TREM1-positive myeloid cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts in colorectal cancer progression
3. Journal of Crohn's and Colitis, 2026 -- Spatial transcriptomics and immunophenotyping uncover chronic inflammation-induced immune adaptations favoring dysplasia development in patients at risk of colitis-associated cancer
4. Analysis and Comparison of Immune Profiles at the Tumor Invasion Front in pMMR/MSI-H and pMMR/MSS Colorectal Cancer Patients
5. Metastatic colorectal cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up - PubMed
6. Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy in Locally Advanced Mismatch Repair–Deficient Colon Cancer | New England Journal of Medicine
7. High-definition spatial transcriptomic profiling of immune cell populations in colorectal cancer | Nature Genetics
8. Metastatic colorectal cancer: ESMO Clinical Practice Guideline for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up - PubMed
9. Neoadjuvant Immunotherapy in Locally Advanced Mismatch Repair–Deficient Colon Cancer | New England Journal of Medicine
10. High-definition spatial transcriptomic profiling of immune cell populations in colorectal cancer | Nature Genetics