TOPIC 403: DEVELOPMENT OF SPATIAL MICROPURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY

The tumor microenvironment (TME) comprises a mixture of cell types, including tumor cells, cancer sub-clones, metaplasia, dysplasia, desmoplasia, reactive fibroblasts, and a complex immune response. Measuring the molecular status of each cellular component within the TME is important to understanding tumor initiation and progression as well as in determining the interplay between cancer and normal host cells.

The proposal describes a new DNA sequencing and genomic analysis technology for histological slides called spatial micropurification, which can be developed into a commercial device that permits localized, cell-specific interrogation of the TME. SMP devices can analyze individual target cells, called single cell spatial micropurification (Single-Cell SMP), or can procure groups of target cells of the same lineage, such as tumor cells or lymphocytes, called multiple cell spatial micropurification (Multi-Cell SMP).

Together, the two versions of SMP provide a flexible platform for genomic analyses of the cancer tumor microenvironment (TME) that investigators can employ to meet their research and clinical needs.

Development and deployment of this novel technology for spatial molecular profiling of tumors will provide a deeper understanding of the relationship between cell genotype and morphology, providing valuable information toward development of new diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic interventions in patients with cancer.