Researchers from The University of Osaka have identified key genetic mutations linked to extracranial arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), a rare and potentially serious vascular disorder. They have revealed that these mutations activate the RAS/RAF/MEK signaling pathway and that the MAP4K4 gene may drive pathological angiogenesis. This may mean that existing cancer drugs that target the same pathway could be effective for AVM treatment, potentially paving the way for novel therapies.

Recent advances in spatial omics and single-cell omics have significantly reshaped biomarker discovery in tumor immunotherapy by addressing critical challenges posed such as tumor heterogeneity, immune evasion, and variability within the tumor microenvironment (TME).

While immunotherapeutic strategies—such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive T-cell transfer—have demonstrated promising clinical outcomes, their effectiveness is hindered by low response rates and immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Thus, identifying reliable biomarkers is essential for predicting treatment efficacy, minimizing irAEs, and facilitating patient stratification. Spatial omics integrates molecular profiling with spatial localization, providing comprehensive insights into the cellular organization and functional states of the TME. By revealing spatial patterns of immune cell infiltration and tumor heterogeneity, this approach enhances our predictive capacity for therapeutic response. Similarly, single-cell omics yields high-resolution analysis of cellular heterogeneity, capturing transcriptomic, epigenomic, and metabolic signatures at the single-cell level. The combined application of spatial and single-cell omics has led to the identification of previously undetected biomarkers, including rare immune cell subsets implicated in resistance mechanisms. Beyond spatial transcriptomics (ST), this technological landscape also includes spatial proteomics and metabolomics, which further facilitate the study of dynamic tumor–immune interactions. Multi-omics integration offers a comprehensive overview of biomarker landscapes, while the rapid evolution artificial intelligence approaches enhances the analysis of complex, multidimensional datasets—ultimately enhancing predictive power and clinical utility. Despite substantial progress, challenges remain in standardization, data integration, and real-time monitoring. Nevertheless, incorporating spatial omics and single-cell omics into biomarker research holds transformative potential for personalized cancer immunotherapy. These emerging strategies pave the way for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, enabling precision oncology and elevating treatment outcomes for patients a wide range of tumor profiles.

This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the integration of spatial omics and single-cell omics in tumor immunotherapy biomarker discovery. Specifically, it focuses on how these emerging technologies address challenges related to tumor heterogeneity, immune evasion, and the dynamic TME. By elaborating on the principles, applications, and clinical potential of these technologies, the review will also critically evaluate their limitations, challenges, and the current gaps in their translational applications.

Dr. Ho Sang Jung and his research team from the Advanced Bio and Healthcare Materials Research Division at the Korea Institute of Materials Science(KIMS) have developed an optical biosensor capable of detecting trace amounts of cancer cell DNA in the bloodstream with high sensitivity, enabling early cancer diagnosis.

A research team led by Prof. Hai Li from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has become the first to systematically explore how large language models (LLMs) can assist in predicting liver cancer treatment responses—offering a new path toward AI-powered precision medicine.

Emory University researchers found that psilocin, a byproduct of consuming psilocybin, or the active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms, extends the lifespan of human cells by more than 50%. Within the same study, researchers also found that mice that received an initial low dose of psilocybin of 5 mg, followed by a monthly high dose of 15 mg for 10 months, had a 30% increase in survival compared to mice that did not receive any. These mice also displayed healthier physical features, such as improved fur quality, fewer white hairs and hair regrowth.