Skip to main content

  • Single-cell analysis reveals potential new target for uveal melanoma

    Ocular Pathology/Oncology

    Add to My Bookmarks

    Review of: Single-cell analysis reveals new evolutionary complexity in uveal melanoma

    Durante M, Rodriguez D, Kurtenbach S, et al. Nature Communications, January 2020

    This study assessed the tumor microenvironment of uveal melanoma using single cell analysis.

    Study design

    The authors analyzed the tumor microenvironment using droplet-based single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). They obtained 59,915 uveal melanoma cells and non-neoplastic cells from 8 primary and 3 metastatic uveal melanomas.

    Outcomes

    There was a diversity of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in the tumor microenvironment, including CD8+ T cells. These cells predominantly expressed the checkpoint marker LAG3 rather than PD1 or CTLA4, which are current targets for checkpoint blockades. This could explain, in part, why currently available checkpoint inhibitors are minimally efficacious for treating metastatic uveal melanoma. It also provides a potential new target for checkpoint blockage.

    Limitations

    The researchers analyzed a small number of primary tumors and metastases.

    Clinical significance

    This study identified LAG3 as a potential target for immune checkpoint blockade in patients with high risk uveal melanoma.