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Updated: Oct 10, 2025
Visualization, Quantification, and Mapping of Immune Cell Populations in the Tumor Microenvironment
Published on: March 25, 2020
Charting the tumor antigen maps drawn by single-cell genomics
Caleb A Lareau1, Kevin R Parker2, Ansuman T Satpathy1
1Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Abstract:
The remarkable specificity of antibodies has enabled precision cancer immunotherapies, including chimeric antigen receptor T cells and antibody-drug conjugates. In parallel, single-cell genomics technologies present the possibility of a comprehensive annotation of antigen expression throughout tissues of the human body and on cancer cells. We reflect on the rationale for antigen targets currently used in immunotherapies, their adverse effects revealed in the clinic, and the opportunity to utilize large genomics datasets to de-risk potential targets and nominate optimal antigens for therapy.
Insights
Antibody specificity drives cancer immunotherapies like CAR T-cells. Integrating genomics can identify better targets and reduce side effects for precision medicine.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Genomics
- Oncology
Background:
- Antibodies are crucial for precision cancer immunotherapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor T-cells and antibody-drug conjugates.
- Single-cell genomics offers potential for comprehensive antigen expression mapping in human tissues and cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current immunotherapy antigen targets and their clinical adverse effects.
- To explore using large genomics datasets for de-risking targets and identifying optimal antigens for cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on cancer immunotherapy targets.
- Analysis of single-cell genomics data for antigen expression patterns.
- Evaluation of clinical data on immunotherapy-related adverse effects.
Main Results:
- Current immunotherapies rely on antibody specificity for targeted cancer treatment.
- Genomics data can reveal potential off-target toxicities and guide the selection of safer, more effective antigens.
- Integrating diverse datasets can improve the precision and safety of cancer immunotherapies.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing antigen selection through genomics is key to advancing precision cancer immunotherapy.
- Reducing adverse effects by de-risking targets will enhance therapeutic efficacy and patient outcomes.
- Future immunotherapies can benefit from a data-driven approach to antigen discovery and validation.
