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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
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Visualization, Quantification, and Mapping of Immune Cell Populations in the Tumor Microenvironment
Published on: March 25, 2020
Spatial omics of immunity: Mapping cellular landscapes in tissue microenvironments.
Ji-Eun See1, Yuitian Liu1, Jasmine Plummer2
1Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, US.
Current Opinion in Immunology
|June 2, 2026
Summary
New spatial technologies offer high-resolution molecular profiling of the tumor microenvironment (TME). These tools enhance understanding of immune cell interactions for developing next-generation immunotherapies.
Area of Science:
- Tissue immunology
- Cancer research
- Molecular profiling
Background:
- The tumor microenvironment (TME) is critical for immune evasion and immunotherapy response.
- Understanding TME complexity is essential for advancing cancer treatments.
- Spatial analysis of the TME provides insights into immune cell dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review cutting-edge spatial transcriptomics and proteomics technologies.
- To discuss computational tools for analyzing spatial molecular data.
- To highlight the role of spatial profiling in tissue immunology research.
Main Methods:
- Sequencing-based spatial transcriptomics.
- Multiplex in situ hybridization imaging-based spatial proteomics.
- Multiomics approaches integrating spatial data.
Main Results:
- Spatial technologies enable simultaneous analysis of immune cells within tissue architecture.
- These methods reveal immune cell organization, function, and interactions.
- Data interpretation is aided by advanced computational tools.
Conclusions:
- Spatial molecular profiling is vital for understanding tissue immune responses.
- Limitations in resolution and data standardization need addressing.
- Future multiomics and AI integration will advance TME research and immunotherapy development.
