scRNA-seq of UTUC reveals immune TME heterogeneity

Peter Reisz, MD, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, outlines the use of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) of upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC) to reveal significant heterogeneity of the tumor and immune microenvironment at ASCO GU 2021. Prior investigations have used bulk profiling to identify molecular subtypes, however, this does not allow for analysis of the significant heterogeneity present in urothelial tumors. The study found high luminal gene expression across samples, as previously demonstrated with bulk profiling, and that the immune tumor microenvironment (TME) was heterogenous, with increased macrophage infiltration in high-grade disease. This interview took place during the 2021 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium.