Spatial transcriptomic analysis of 4NQO-induced tongue cancer revealed cellular lineage diversity and evolutionary trajectory.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Spatial transcriptomic analysis has proposed valuable insights into the behavior of tongue cancer. However, the specific cell types involved in chemically-induced carcinogenesis and the process of tumor development remain elusive.

Methods

We leveraged artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms and spatial transcriptomic sequencing to meticulously characterize the spatial and temporal evolution of 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO)-induced tongue carcinogenesis and intratumor heterogeneity.

Results

An AI classifier effectively categorized dysplastic tongue tissue into 13 distinct groups. Spatial transcriptomics identified 13 corresponding cellular subgroups with unique features within the lesion. Both methods successfully distinguished subtle muscle phenotype an

SUBMITTER: Liu F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12267228 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature