Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 9, 2025
Implantation and Evaluation of Melanoma in the Murine Choroid via Optical Coherence Tomography
Published on: December 2, 2022
Translation of single-cell transcriptomic analysis of uveal melanomas to clinical oncology
Thomas Strub1, Arnaud Martel2, Sacha Nahon-Esteve2
1University Côte d'Azur, France; Inserm, Biology and Pathologies of Melanocytes, Team1, Equipe Labellisée Ligue 2020 and Equipe Labellisée ARC 2019, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Nice, France.
Abstract:
Uveal melanoma (UM) is an aggressive and deadly neoplasm. In recent decades, great efforts have been made to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of genetics, genomics and molecular changes in UM, enabling the identification of key cellular processes and signalling pathways. Still, there is no effective treatment for the metastatic disease. Intratumoural heterogeneity (ITH) is thought to be one of the leading determinants of metastasis, therapeutic resistance and recurrence. Crucially, tumours are complex ecosystems, where cancer cells, and diverse cell types from their microenvironment engage in dynamic spatiotemporal crosstalk that allows cancer progression, adaptation and evolution. This highlights the urgent need to gain insight into ITH in UM and its intersection with the microenvironment to overcome treatment failure. Here we provide an overview of the studies and technologies to study ITH in human UMs and tumour micro-environmental composition. We discuss how to incorporate ITH into clinical consideration for the purpose of advocating for new clinical management. We focus on the application of single-cell transcriptomic analysis and propose that understanding the driving forces and functional consequences of the observed tumour heterogeneity holds promise for changing the treatment paradigm of metastatic UMs, surmounting resistance and improving patient prognosis.
Insights
Intratumoural heterogeneity (ITH) drives uveal melanoma (UM) metastasis and treatment resistance. Understanding UM
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Uveal melanoma (UM) is an aggressive eye cancer with no effective treatments for metastatic disease.
- Intratumoural heterogeneity (ITH) is a key factor in UM metastasis, therapeutic resistance, and recurrence.
- Tumors are complex ecosystems involving cancer cells and their microenvironment, driving cancer progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of studies and technologies for investigating ITH in human UM.
- To explore the composition of the UM tumor microenvironment.
- To discuss incorporating ITH into clinical management for improved patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing studies and technologies for analyzing UM ITH.
- Focus on single-cell transcriptomic analysis.
- Examination of tumor micro-environmental composition.
Main Results:
- ITH and tumor microenvironment interactions are critical to UM progression and treatment failure.
- Single-cell transcriptomics offers a powerful approach to dissecting UM heterogeneity.
- Understanding ITH drivers and consequences is crucial for therapeutic advancement.
Conclusions:
- Gaining insight into UM ITH and its microenvironmental intersection is vital for overcoming treatment failure.
- Incorporating ITH into clinical considerations can lead to new management strategies.
- Understanding UM heterogeneity holds promise for changing the treatment paradigm and improving patient prognosis.
