Deciphering Tumor Microenvironment and Macrophage Polarization in Colorectal Peritoneal Metastasis

Colorectal cancer-associated peritoneal metastasis (PM) is a serious health concern marked by high mortality rates and recurrence despite treatment advancements.

Macrophages in the peritoneal cavity play a pivotal role in immune defense but are manipulated by cancer cells into pro-tumor phenotypes, promoting tumor growth and immune evasion.

This study employs single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial RNA sequencing to comprehensively map transcriptomic expression in colorectal PM model and patient samples.

Key objectives include exploring cellular diversity and interactions, deciphering macrophage polarization mechanisms, investigating microRNA-mediated crosstalk between macrophages and cancer cells via extracellular vesicles, and assessing immunological and transcriptomic changes in clinical samples.

We will further explore the relationship between the signature gene and various patient clinicopathological characteristics.

Our goal is to identify novel targets, and formulate therapeutic strategies that efficiently address macrophage functions, thus advancing PM treatment.

We anticipate that our discoveries will shed light on how PM manipulates the tumor microenvironment and evades current treatments, ultimately enhancing existing therapies and contributing to the development of innovative targeted approaches.