Bruker and City of Hope Showcase Cutting-Edge Research at AACR 2025

At the 2025 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting held in Chicago from April 25 to 30, Brookspace Biology showcased significant advancements in spatial biology and multi-omics, positioning itself at the forefront of these technologies. The key innovations include the CosMx® 2.0 upgrade, same-slide multi-omics capabilities, and enhanced multi-omics functions on the nCounter® platform. These developments are expected to provide researchers with deeper insights and more efficient tools to study tumor heterogeneity, immune cell infiltration, and pathway dysregulation in the tumor microenvironment. CosMx 2.0 Upgrade Brings Unprecedented Performance Brookspace Biology will launch the new CosMx 2.0 software this quarter, integrating commercial versions of CosMx Spatial Multiplexing Imaging (SMI) and AtoMx Spatial Information Profiling (SIP) platforms. This upgrade will double RNA detection efficiency across all commercial RNA assays and support whole transcriptome imaging. Additionally, the AtoMx spatial analysis platform will incorporate an AI cell segmentation model trained by Brookspace, enabling more precise definition of single-cell boundaries and high-fidelity spatial transcriptomics. These enhancements aim to help researchers better understand complex biological processes within tumors. Same-Slide Multi-Omics Functionality One of the most significant features of CosMx 2.0 is its ability to perform multi-omics analysis on a single slide. Researchers can simultaneously analyze the full transcriptome (approximately 19,000 targets) and related proteins (up to 76) in the context of immunotherapy. This comprehensive view of cell phenotypes, pathway biology, and disease mechanisms, integrated with spatial context, promises to advance cancer research significantly. The feature is scheduled to be available in the second half of 2025. Enhanced Multi-Omics Capabilities on the nCounter Platform Brookspace has also introduced multi-omics capabilities to the nCounter platform, allowing for simultaneous measurement of RNA and proteins from samples like formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) and fresh-frozen tissues. New Protein panels support high-throughput detection of 200 to 300 target proteins, complementing existing RNA panels. The simplified 3-day workflow from sample to results reduces key delays in research, and integrated data analysis tools facilitate the alignment and visualization of multi-omics data, speeding up translational research. Availability and Future Plans Pre-orders for the CosMx Whole Transcriptome Analysis (WTX) kit will begin in May 2025, with shipments expected during the summer. The multi-omics functions on the nCounter platform, including the Immune Pathway Protein panel and Tumor Signaling Protein panel, are set to launch commercially in the second half of 2025 and have already been available to select researchers through a Technology Access Program. Industry Evaluation and Company Background Dr. William Hwang, Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School, praised the developments: "Imaging the entire transcriptome at the level of individual transcripts and improving the sensitivity of in situ RNA assays, these advances in CosMx represent a historic milestone in spatial biology." Brookspace, a leader in post-genomic era scientific instruments and solutions, supports scientists and researchers in exploring life and materials at molecular, cellular, and microscopic levels. Their products cover preclinical imaging, clinical phenotyping, proteomics and multi-omics, spatial and single-cell biology, making them a preferred supplier in both scientific and industrial fields. For more information, visit www.bruker.com. Meanwhile, City of Hope, a large cancer research and treatment institution based in Los Angeles, presented over 74 abstracts and sessions at the AACR meeting, covering areas such as artificial intelligence, precision medicine, and immunotherapy. Novel Immunotherapy for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Dr. Aditya Shreenivas, a medical oncologist, discussed phase III clinical trial results showing that the combination of penpulimab, an anti-PD-1 antibody, and chemotherapy significantly improves disease control rates for recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Patients receiving the combination therapy had an average disease control duration of 9.63 months compared to 7.00 months for those on chemotherapy alone, representing a 55% reduction in disease progression risk. The FDA recently approved penpulimab combined with platinum-based chemotherapy and gemcitabine for first-line treatment in adults, as well as as monotherapy for second-line treatment. Shreenivas noted further research will focus on identifying the best responders to this treatment. Multi-Omics Analysis Reveals Immunotherapy Response Differences Jing Qian, a graduate student, and Dr. John D. Carpten, Chief Scientific Officer, used spatial transcriptomics to analyze the tumor microenvironment in high-grade serous ovarian cancer patients with varying responses to immunotherapy. They found significant differences in immune cell behavior and composition, potentially helping to identify patients who would benefit most from immunotherapy and revealing new therapeutic targets. Digital Spatial Analysis for Prostate Cancer Dr. Peter Zang and Dr. Tanya Barauskas Dorff utilized digital spatial analysis to compare mHSPC tissue samples from Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients. Preliminary findings indicated differences in protein expression, such as Foxp3, PARP, and STING, which are key targets for targeted cancer therapies. The team plans to test more samples and correlate results with clinical trials to better identify the proteins affecting treatment outcomes. Predictive AI for Breast Cancer Survival Dr. Sydney Grant, a postdoctoral researcher, and Dr. Aritro Nath developed a variational autoencoder (VAE)-based AI tool that predicts recurrence-free survival in breast cancer patients by integrating multiple data sources. This method enhances prediction accuracy and personalizes treatment decisions, potentially reducing overtreatment and unnecessary side effects. Genetic Changes in Early Colorectal Cancer Dr. Francisco Carranza and Dr. Enrique Velazquez Villarreal discovered unique genetic alterations in early colorectal cancer (CRC) among Hispanic and Latino patients. Using DNA and RNA sequencing along with 10x Genomics Visium technology, they detailed how these changes impact cancer development and spread. Future research will explore single-cell gene expression to design more targeted clinical trials for these often-overlooked patient groups. AI Tool for Precision Medicine Velazquez Villarreal also introduced PM-AI, an artificial intelligence tool that simplifies comprehensive data analysis, promoting health equity in cancer research. PM-AI can interpret natural language queries and automatically run complex data analysis, combining clinical, genetic, and social determinant data to offer a more inclusive and thorough understanding of cancer. Combination Therapy for ER+ Breast Cancer Dr. Andrea Bild's team identified a new combination therapy involving ribociclib and afatinib to control cancer cell growth in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer patients resistant to cell cycle inhibitors. Through integrated short-term and long-term cell models and mathematical analyses, the new therapy demonstrates sustained control over cancer cell proliferation. Industry Evaluation and Institutional Profile Experts praised City of Hope's contributions, noting that their advancements in AI and precision medicine could improve patient outcomes and promote equitable access to effective treatments. Founded in 1913, City of Hope is one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment centers in the U.S., consistently ranked among the top five cancer centers by U.S. News & World Report. The institution is committed to translational research, aiming to quickly transition laboratory findings into clinical applications for broader patient benefits. These presentations and technological demonstrations at the AACR 2025 conference highlight the cutting-edge research capabilities of both Brookspace Biology and City of Hope, paving the way for more effective and personalized cancer treatments.