MD Anderson's SPACER Finds Mucins May Block T Cells from Tumors

Researchers at MD Anderson and Texas collaborators report SPACER, an AI model using spatial transcriptomics, decodes signals that draw or repel immune cells. Tested on 37 cancer datasets, the model performed four to 21 times better than existing methods at finding recruitment signals. They say mucins may block T cells, linked to poorer checkpoint inhibitor responses.

• Tao Wang says SPACER could reveal biomarkers and therapeutic targets to improve patient outcomes.
• The researchers report SPACER suggests CD4-positive T cells drive severe heart inflammation in preclinical myocarditis models.
• The findings appear in Nature Biomedical Engineering, co-led by Linghua Wang, head of the Center for Cellular Language Intelligence.