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Spatial transcriptomics reveals molecular differences associated with malignant transformation in oral epithelial
Naren Raja1, Harsh B Pathak2, Amrita Mitra2
1Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States.
Frontiers in Immunology
|July 25, 2026
Summary
Spatial transcriptomics revealed key molecular differences in oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) that progresses to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). These changes involve epithelial-immune interactions, offering insights into oral cancer development.
Area of Science:
- Oral oncology
- Molecular pathology
- Spatial transcriptomics
Background:
- Oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) is a precancerous lesion with unpredictable progression to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).
- The molecular mechanisms driving OED progression to OSCC are not fully understood.
- This study investigates molecular differences in OED with varying transformation potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize molecular differences between transforming and non-transforming OED using spatial transcriptomics.
- To identify potential biomarkers for OED progression.
- To explore the role of epithelial-immune interactions in oral carcinogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Spatial transcriptomic profiling of benign, OED, and OSCC biopsies using NanoString GeoMx.
- Segmentation of regions into epithelial and immune compartments.
- Differential gene expression analysis and pathway enrichment analysis.
Main Results:
- Eleven epithelial differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between transforming and non-transforming OED, including those in antigen presentation and interferon signaling pathways (e.g., B2M, STAT1, CD74).
- No significant DEGs were found in immune-enriched regions.
- Pathway analysis suggested enrichment of immune and interferon-related processes in transforming OED.
Conclusions:
- Spatial transcriptomics provides exploratory insights into molecular distinctions between OED lesions with different clinical outcomes.
- Altered epithelial-immune interactions may play a role in OED transformation.
- Further validation is needed, but spatial transcriptomics shows promise for studying early oral cancer development.
