Spatial Omics in Gastrointestinal Oncology: Recent Advances, Therapeutic Insights, and Clinical Translation

TL;DR

Spatial omics technologies are transforming the understanding and treatment of gastrointestinal cancers by revealing detailed tumor structures and interactions.

Contribution

This review highlights recent advances in spatial omics for GI oncology and their potential for personalized treatment strategies.

Findings

Spatial omics reveal cancer-stromal-immune interactions in GI cancers.

These technologies identify biomarkers for immunotherapy and targeted treatments.

Spatial profiling aids in early diagnosis and monitoring treatment efficacy.

Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers remain a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, largely due to their molecular heterogeneity, complex tumor microenvironment (TME), and variable treatment responses. In recent years, the emergence of spatially resolved omics technologies—encompassing spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and epigenomics—has revolutionized the ability to interrogate tumor architecture with unprecedented resolution. These methods enable precise mapping of cellular and molecular interactions within intact tissue contexts, thereby uncovering spatially defined niches that influence tumor progression, immune evasion, and therapeutic resistance. In GI malignancies such as colorectal, gastric, and esophageal cancers, spatial omics have provided critical insights into cancer-stromal-immune crosstalk, identified predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy and targeted agents, and guided the development of novel therapeutic strategies. This review synthesizes the latest advances in spatial omics applied to GI oncology over the past five years, with an emphasis on their integration into early diagnosis, treatment stratification, and real-time monitoring of therapeutic efficacy. We also discuss current challenges, including standardization, data integration, and clinical validation, as well as future directions for incorporating spatial profiling into routine oncology practice. By bridging the gap between bench discoveries and bedside applications, spatial omics hold transformative potential for achieving truly personalized treatment in gastrointestinal cancers.

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