Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




New AI System Uncovers Hidden Cell Subtypes to Advance Cancer Immunotherapy

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 16 Jul 2025

To produce effective targeted therapies for cancer, scientists need to isolate the genetic and phenotypic characteristics of cancer cells, both within and across different tumors. More...

These differences significantly impact how tumors respond to treatments, making accurate identification crucial. Traditionally, scientists have examined the RNA or protein molecules each cancer cell expresses, where it is located in the tumor, and what it looks like under a microscope. This has left a gap in understanding how cells behave in relation to their surroundings, limiting the precision of cancer treatments. The problem is compounded by methodologies that miss critical molecular or contextual information, such as identifying immune cells at the boundaries of tumors. Now, a new solution integrates multiple aspects of cancer cell biology, using deep learning technology to provide a comprehensive profile of individual cells, even those that seem similar but behave differently depending on their environment.

The solution, called CellLENS, was created by researchers from MIT (Cambridge, MA, USA) in collaboration with several other prestigious institutions. It employs a combination of convolutional neural networks and graph neural networks to integrate information on cell morphology, location, and behavior. By analyzing cancer samples, including those from lymphoma and liver cancer, the system identifies rare immune cell subtypes and their role in disease processes. This method enables scientists to group cells based on their biology and better understand their functions. The tool can detect important layers of information such as where a cell is located in tissue and how it interacts with its surroundings, helping to uncover previously overlooked cell behaviors.

The researchers tested and validated CellLENS by applying it to samples from both healthy tissue and various cancers. Their findings, published in Nature Immunology, revealed insights into the immune system's interaction with tumors, including rare immune cell subtypes and their role in tumor infiltration and immune suppression. These discoveries hold the potential to guide more targeted cancer treatments and improve immunotherapies by providing deeper insights into cellular behavior and location. Moving forward, the researchers aim to refine and expand the tool’s applications to accelerate the development of personalized therapies.

“I’m extremely excited by the potential of new AI tools, like CellLENS, to help us more holistically understand aberrant cellular behaviors within tissues,” said co-author Alex K. Shalek. “We can now measure a tremendous amount of information about individual cells and their tissue contexts with cutting-edge, multi-omic assays. Effectively leveraging that data to nominate new therapeutic leads is a critical step in developing improved interventions. When coupled with the right input data and careful downstream validations, such tools promise to accelerate our ability to positively impact human health and wellness.”

Related Links:
MIT


Gold Member
Antipsychotic TDM Assays
Saladax Antipsychotic Assays
POC Helicobacter Pylori Test Kit
Hepy Urease Test
New
Gram-Negative Blood Culture Assay
LIAISON PLEX Gram-Negative Blood Culture Assay
New
Pipette
Accumax Smart Series
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: A simple blood sample that allows DNA methylation could identify epigenetic biomarkers (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Simple Blood Sample Could Identify Epigenetic Biomarkers to Predict CVD Risk in Type 2 Diabetes

People with type 2 diabetes face up to four times higher risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks, strokes, and angina compared to individuals without the condition. Yet, current tools used... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The microfluidic device for passive separation of platelet-rich plasma from whole blood (Photo courtesy of University of the Basque Country)

Portable and Disposable Device Obtains Platelet-Rich Plasma Without Complex Equipment

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) plays a crucial role in regenerative medicine due to its ability to accelerate healing and repair tissue. However, obtaining PRP traditionally requires expensive centrifugation... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: MycoMEIA Aspergillus Assay is the first FDA-cleared urine-based test for invasive aspergillosis (Photo courtesy of Pearl Diagnostics)

Urine-Based Assay Diagnoses Common Lung Infection in Immunocompromised People

Invasive Aspergillosis (IA), a life-threatening fungal infection, poses a serious threat to immunocompromised individuals, especially those with hematologic malignancies, transplants, or severe lung diseases.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.