单细胞转录组学揭示了早发性和晚发性宫颈癌中多方面的免疫异质性

Early-onset (EOCC) and late-onset cervical cancers (LOCC) represent two clinically distinct subtypes, each defined by unique clinical manifestations and therapeutic responses.

However, their immunological profiles remain poorly explored.

Herein, we analyzed single-cell transcriptomic data from 4 EOCC and 4 LOCC samples to compare their immune architectures. Epithelial cells in EOCC exhibited a notable dual immunological phenotype, characterized by immune-suppressive properties driven by elevated CXCL production, alongside immune-stimulatory features linked to heightened HLA molecule expression.

CD4 + and CD8 + T cells in LOCC demonstrated a heightened activation state, while NK cells exhibited diminished cytotoxicity. Macrophages in LOCC displayed enhanced polarization towards both M1 and M2 phenotypes, along with dendritic cells showing augmented antigen-presenting capacity. Regarding cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), EOCC was enriched with inflammatory CAFs, whereas LOCC harbored a higher proportion of antigen-presenting CAFs.

These findings reveal the multifaceted immune heterogeneity between EOCC and LOCC, underscoring the imperative for age-tailored immunotherapeutic strategies.