J Dig Cancer Res.  2025 Dec;13(3):288-301. 10.52927/jdcr.2025.13.3.288.

Spatial Transcriptomics in Pancreatic Cancer: Current Insights and Future Directions

• Kim JS

• KMID: 2575515
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.52927/jdcr.2025.13.3.288

Abstract

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is among the most fatal cancers, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. Despite advances in conventional transcriptomic approaches, such as bulk RNA sequencing and single-cell RNA sequencing, these techniques have limitations in capturing the spatial complexity of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Spatial transcriptomics enables detailed investigation of the heterogeneous TME by integrating gene expression profiles with spatial context. This approach facilitates the characterization of cancer-associated fibroblasts, immune cell populations, and stromal organization, all of which critically influence PDAC progression. This review highlights recent applications of spatial transcriptomics in PDAC research, focusing on its utility in identifying spatial biomarkers, predicting treatment responses, and elucidating the intricate tumor-immune-stromal interactions that drive disease progression. We also discuss current technical limitations of spatial transcriptomics, including resolution constraints, RNA degradation, and high costs, and outline emerging strategies to address these challenges, such as multi-omics integration and artificial intelligence (AI)-based models. Collectively, spatial transcriptomics holds substantial potential for advancing precision medicine by enabling more accurate diagnostics and personalized therapeutic strategies for patients with PDAC.

Keyword

Spatial transcriptomics; Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma; Tumor microenvironment; Cancer-associated fibroblasts; Artificial intelligence