Deciphering the Single-Cell Molecular Landscape of Ampullary Cancer: A Rare Gastrointestinal malignancy

The rarity of AC, combined with the intricate anatomy of its site of origin, often complicates histopathological diagnosis. Recent advances in molecular research, however, have begun to illuminate its underlying biological complexity.

In this study, we present the first comprehensive single-cell transcriptomic atlas of AC, encompassing both malignant epithelial populations and the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). We identified upregulation of oncogenic drivers previously linked to AC, along with an AC-specific transcriptional program featuring potential biomarkers for minimally invasive diagnostics. Furthermore, we characterized an immunosuppressive TIME, enriched in anti-inflammatory-like TAMs and T cell subsets with limited antitumor activity.