Spatial multi-omics identifies aggressive prostate cancer signatures highlighting pro-inflammatory chemokine activity in the tumor microenvironment

Abstract

Understanding the characteristics of the tumor microenvironment (TME) associated with aggressive prostate cancer (PCa) is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment. We interrogated spatially resolved multi-omics data to find molecular stratifiers of aggressive PCa. We report an aggressive prostate cancer (APC) gene expression signature predictive of increased risk of relapse and metastasis in a cohort of 1,588 patients. Further, we present a chemokine-enriched-gland (CEG) signature specific to non-cancerous prostatic glands from patients with aggressive cancer. The CEG signature is characterized by upregulated expression of pro-inflammatory chemokines, club-like cell enrichment, and immune cell infiltration of surrounding stroma. The activity of both signatures is correlated with reduced citrate and zinc levels and loss of normal prostate secretory gland functions. In summary we report that an increased inflammatory status linked to chemokine production, club-like cell enrichment, and metabolic changes in normal-appearing prostatic glands is associated with the subsequent development of aggressive PCa.