A pan-cancer single-cell RNA-seq atlas of intratumoral B cells

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2024.09.011
• Publication Date: 2024-10-14T14:40:31Z
• Authors: Evelyn Fitzsimons; Danwen Qian; Andrei Enica; Krupa Thakkar; Marcellus Augustine; Samuel Gamble; James L. Reading; Kevin Litchfield
• Keywords: RNA-Seq

Tumor-infiltrating B cells play a significant role in tumor development, progression, and prognosis, yet a comprehensive classification system is lacking. To address this gap, we present a pan-cancer single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) atlas of tumor-infiltrating B and plasma cells across a large sample cohort. We identify key B cell subset signatures, revealing distinct subpopulations and highlighting the heterogeneity and functional diversity of these cells in the tumor microenvironment. We explore associations between B cell subsets and checkpoint inhibitor therapy responses, finding subset-specific effects on overall response. Additionally, we examine B and T cell crosstalk, identifying unique ligand-receptor pairs for specific B cell subsets, spatially validated. This comprehensive dataset serves as a valuable resource, providing a detailed atlas that enhances the understanding of B cell complexity in tumors and opens new avenues for research and therapeutic strategies.