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SUMMARY:Spatial mapping of breast cancer tumour microenvironment in Black 
 British and White British women - Professor Kairbaan Hodivala-Dilke\, Cent
 re for Tumour Microenvironment\, Barts Cancer Institute\, Queen Mary Unive
 rsity of London
DTSTART:20251024T130000Z
DTEND:20251024T140000Z
UID:TALK234481@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Kate Davenport
DESCRIPTION:Women of Afro-Caribbean descent confront more aggressive breas
 t cancer subtypes at a younger age than their Caucasian counterparts. Yet\
 , breast cancer research and treatment development have predominantly focu
 sed on Caucasian populations\, neglecting potential biological drivers of 
 these disparities. Our study addresses this gap by in-depth characterising
  the breast tumour microenvironment (TME) in an ethnically diverse cohort.
  We analysed treatment-naïve breast cancer samples from 45 Black British 
 and 45 White British women\, matched by age\, tumour subtype\, and stage b
 y employing spatial transcriptomics (NanoString GeoMx) and hyper-plex prot
 ein profiling (Leica Microsytems Cell DIVE). We captured whole-transcripto
 me data from cancer (PanCK+)\, immune (CD45+)\, and stromal (aSMA+) compar
 tments from both tumour centre and tumour edge. The most striking differen
 ces emerged within the immune and stromal compartments\, not in the cancer
  cells\, underscoring metabolic\, adhesion\, and extracellular matrix rewi
 ring in Black British tumours.  Complementary spatial protein profiling fu
 rther revealed changes in tissue architecture with distinct recurrent patt
 erns of cellular organisation and cell-cell interactions\, involving endot
 helial and B-cells. Our findings suggest that the TME plays a pivotal role
  in driving ethnic disparities in breast cancer\, highlighting the urgent 
 need for ethnically tailored therapies and more inclusive clinical trials 
 to advance precision cancer care. This breakthrough offers new avenues for
  improving overall outcomes in breast cancer.
LOCATION:CRUK CI Lecture Theatre
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