Spatial Mapping of the Precancer-to-Cancer Transition in Breast and Prostate.

Gene-expression changes and structural features identified at the precancer-to-invasive transition in breast and prostate cancers, with 319 spatial assays revealing key molecular markers.

• Why it matters: Understanding the spatial and molecular dynamics of this transition is crucial for early detection and targeted intervention in hormone-driven adenocarcinomas, yet detailed mapping has been limited.
• What they did: Using lightsheet microscopy and a multimodal serial-section workflow, researchers analyzed intact tumors from 51 cases, integrating volumetric reconstruction with spatial transcriptomics to identify transition markers.
• The result: Findings show loss of MGP and PLAT promotes invasion in breast cancer, while GDF15, ALDH1A3, ANPEP, and FASN are upregulated in prostate cancer, with immune cell involvement suggesting new therapeutic targets.