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Mapping micrometastatic seeds of relapse
Hui Ting Grace Yeo1, Iain Beehuat Tan2
1Genome Institute of Singapore, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Singapore, Singapore; Bioinformatics Institute, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A(∗)STAR), Singapore, Singapore; National Cancer Centre, Singapore, Singapore.
Cancer Cell
|July 31, 2026
Summary
Colorectal cancer liver micrometastases are an early, stem-like disease state. This residual disease is immune-suppressed and linked to a six-gene signature predicting recurrence.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Metastasis
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Colorectal cancer (CRC) metastasis remains a major cause of cancer mortality.
- Understanding the early stages and characteristics of micrometastases is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To spatially map colorectal cancer micrometastases in primary tumors and matched liver and lung metastases.
- To characterize the biological state and immune microenvironment of liver micrometastases.
Main Methods:
- Spatial multi-omics techniques were employed to analyze tissue samples.
- Integrated analysis of genomic, transcriptomic, and spatial data was performed.
Main Results:
- Liver micrometastases were identified as an early-evolved, stem-like residual disease state.
- These micrometastases exhibit an immune-suppressed microenvironment.
- A distinct six-gene signature associated with liver micrometastases and predicting recurrence was discovered.
Conclusions:
- Liver micrometastases represent a critical, early-stage residual disease in colorectal cancer.
- The identified six-gene signature may serve as a prognostic biomarker for CRC recurrence.
