Ritika Kundra

Ovarian cancer mutational processes drive site-specific immune evasion

High-grade serous ovarian cancer is a genomically complex malignancy. Here the authors integrate whole-genome sequencing, single-cell RNA sequencing, digital histopathology and multiplexed immunofluorescence across 160 tumour sites from 42 patients, revealing that mutational processes shape site-specific immune evasion.

Ongoing genome doubling shapes evolvability and immunity in ovarian cancer

Single-cell whole-genome sequencing of 30,260 tumour genomes from 70 samples across 41 patients in the SPECTRUM cohort reveals that ongoing whole-genome doubling drives tumour evolvability and immune evasion in high-grade serous ovarian cancer.

Multimodal Spatial Profiling Reveals Immune Suppression and Microenvironment Remodeling in Fallopian Tube Precursors to High-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma

Abstract High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) originates from fallopian tube (FT) precursors. However, the molecular changes that occur as precancerous lesions progress to HGSOC are not well understood. To address this, we integrated high-plex imaging and spatial transcriptomics to analyze human tissue samples at different stages of HGSOC development, including p53 signatures, serous tubal intraepithelial carcinomas (STIC), and invasive HGSOC. Our findings reveal immune modulating mechanisms within precursor epithelium, characterized by chromosomal instability, persistent IFN signaling, and dysregulated innate and adaptive immunity. FT precursors display elevated expression of MHC class I, including HLA-E, and IFN-stimulated genes, typically linked to later-stage tumorigenesis. These molecular alterations coincide with progressive shifts in the tumor microenvironment, transitioning from immune surveillance in early STICs to immune suppression in advanced STICs and cancer. These insights identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for HGSOC interception and clarify the molecular transitions from precancer to cancer. Significance: This study maps the immune response in FT precursors of HGSOC, highlighting localized IFN signaling, chromosomal instability, and competing immune surveillance and suppression along the progression axis. It provides an explorable public spatial profiling atlas for investigating precancer mechanisms, biomarkers, and early detection and interception strategies. See related commentary by Recouvreux and Orsulic, p. 1093