Single-cell and Spatial Omics Reveals Region-Specific Plasticity and Therapeutic Vulnerabilities in Metastatic High-Risk Neuroblastoma.

ABSTRACT: Neuroblastoma, a deadly pediatric cancer derived from sympathetic ganglia of the peripheral nervous system, frequently metastasizes, driving poor outcomes. Primary neuroblastomas are well-characterized, but the mechanisms underlying metastasis remain poorly understood. Here, by applying single-cell and spatial multi-omics analyses to primary and metastatic tumors, we found that lymph-node metastases in high-risk neuroblastomas display distinctive cellular heterogeneity and plasticity, marked by mesenchymal-like and stem-like states and heightened epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition activity compared to primary adrenal tumors. Additionally, compared to primary adrenal masses, the metastatic niche display increased immunosuppressive myeloid programs, heightened immune checkpoint signaling,

SUBMITTER: Wu LMN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12633255 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature