Cancer recurrence can manifest more than a decade after the initial diagnosis and remission, and the local immune microenvironment of the target organ is a pivotal factor influencing the persistence of disseminated tumor cells. While prior research has indicated that aged mice are more susceptible to tumor cell reactivation, the underlying reasons remain incompletely understood. In this collaborative project led by Ashani Weeraratna and Arjun Raj, the focus is on unraveling the impact of aging on the tumor microenvironment, specifically in the context of melanoma, and understanding its role in various facets of tumor progression.
The study will explore the dynamic interplay between age-related microenvironmental changes, intrinsic cellular factors, and immune evasion, with a particular emphasis on the immune component of the tumor microenvironment. Leveraging advanced technologies such as spatial transcriptomics and in situ barcode sequencing, the investigators seek to elucidate how age-related alterations affect the immune system’s ability to eliminate dormant cells and whether changes in neoantigen profiles with age contribute to the transition of dormant cells to a proliferative state. The anticipated outcomes are poised to offer profound insights into the complex crosstalk between the aged tumor microenvironment, dormancy, and immune response, potentially paving the way for innovative therapeutic approaches and diagnostic tools.