Spatially aware deep learning reveals tumor heterogeneity patterns that encode distinct kidney cancer states.
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| Abstract | Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is molecularly heterogeneous, immune infiltrated, and selectively sensitive to immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI). However, the joint tumor-immune states that mediate ICI response remain elusive. We develop spatially aware deep-learning models of tumor and immune features to learn representations of ccRCC tumors using diagnostic whole-slide images (WSIs) in untreated and treated contexts (n = 1,102 patients). We identify patterns of grade heterogeneity in WSIs not achievable through human pathologist analysis, and these graph-based "microheterogeneity" structures associate with PBRM1 loss of function and with patient outcomes. Joint analysis of tumor phenotypes and immune infiltration identifies a subpopulation of highly infiltrated, microheterogeneous tumors responsive to ICI. In paired multiplex immunofluorescence images of ccRCC, microheterogeneity associates with greater PD1 activation in CD8 lymphocytes and increased tumor-immune interactions. Our work reveals spatially interacting tumor-immune structures underlying ccRCC biology that may also inform selective response to ICI. |
| Year of Publication | 2023
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| Journal | Cell reports. Medicine
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| Volume | 4
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| Issue | 9
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| Pages | 101189
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| Date Published | 09/2023
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| ISSN | 2666-3791
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| DOI | 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101189
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| PubMed ID | 37729872
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