Abstract 5490: Spatial profiling of inflamed tumor microenvironment of clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Abstract Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) presents a distinctive tumor microenvironment (TME) characterized by extensive vascularization and immune infiltration. This unique TME makes ccRCC an attractive target for anti-angiogenesis and immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). To better understand the complexity of ccRCC and the associated cell types and states involved in disease progression, we conducted high-throughput single-cell immunofluorescence imaging on tissue sections from 437 localized tumors that were surgically resected. These samples included regions from the tumor center, tumor edge, and adjacent benign areas (TMA cores, n=1859). Our primary focus was on tumors with elevated immune cell enrichment (CD45high), as these tumors are known to be aggressive and may respond well to immunotherapy. Our study reveals the intricate interactions between tumor, vascular, stromal, and immune cells within ccRCC. We find that CD45high tumors, upon losing epithelial marker expression, acquire tumor cell PD-L1 and mesenchymal markers such as Fibroblast activation protein (FAP). This shift is indicative of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. These CD45high and EMThigh tumors are enriched with changes in TME, including elevated FAP+ cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and subsets of immune suppressive T cells and macrophages. We report that ccRCC patients with high tumor PD-L1 expression or abundant FAP+ CAFs are associated with earlier metastasis and, in sunitinib-treated patients, shorter progression-free survival. This study illuminates the intricate connection between immune cell infiltration, stromal biology, and EMT in ccRCC, offering a deeper understanding of the disease's complex biology and potentially guiding future therapeutic approaches and strategies. Citation Format: Teijo Pellinen, Lassi Luomala, Kalle Mattila, Jenni Säilä, Annabrita Hemmes, Katja Valimaki, Oscar Bruck, Lassi Paavolainen, Harry Nisen, Petrus Järvinen, Olli Kallioniemi, Paula Vainio, Panu Jaakkola, Tuomas Mirtti. Spatial profiling of inflamed tumor microenvironment of clear cell renal cell carcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 5490.