A team of scientists from Baylor College of Medicineand MD Anderson Cancer Centerhas uncovered three distinct immune archetypes in bone metastases, regardless of the cancer’s original site. Using cutting-edge single-cell RNA sequencing, the researchers analyzed 42 bone metastasis samples from eight different types of cancer, including breast and kidney, and found that the immune environment within these tumors is far more varied than previously thought.

The study, published in Cell Genomics, revealed that bone metastases fall into one of three immune categories: those rich in macrophages and osteoclasts, those dominated by regulatory and “exhausted” T cells, and those characterized by an abundance of monocytes. Surprisingly, these archetypes did not consistently match the cancer’s tissue of origin. In some cases, bone metastases from the same primary cancer displayed different immune profiles, while those from different cancers shared the same immune environment. This suggests that tumors may evolve similarly or differently when they spread to bone, regardless of where they started.

These findings could have a significant impact on treatment strategies. Currently, most patients with bone metastases receive standard therapies targeting osteoclasts, but the study suggests that this approach may not be suitable for everyone. For example, patients whose metastases are dominated by exhausted T cells might respond better to immunotherapies designed to reactivate the immune system. The researchers also identified new potential therapeutic targets unique to each archetype, paving the way for more personalized treatments.

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