Applications and prospects of spatial transcriptomics in prostate cancer research: A narrative review

Spatial transcriptomics, an increasingly prominent technique, has been extensively utilized to examine tumors within the digestive tract (such as liver and colorectal cancers) and the nervous system. However, its application in prostate cancer research remains comparatively limited. This article provides a detailed overview of the principles and features of spatial transcriptomics, particularly highlighting its applications in studying the tumor microenvironment, heterogeneity, and clinical implications in prostate cancer. Through a systematic review and analysis of current literature, we identify the main focus areas and limitations of existing research on spatial transcriptomics and suggest potential future research directions.