Spatial analysis revealed localization of osteblastogenesis-inhibitory factors in Giant Cell Tumor of Bone

Although surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment, the postoperative recurrence is frequently seen, and the tumor can arise in surgically challenging locations such as the pelvis. GCTB tumor cells are not giant cells, but rather stromal cells surrounding giant cells.

However, currently available pharmacological therapies are limited to indirect inhibition of bone resorption by giant cells. The mechanisms underlying the marked osteolysis and the insufficient osteogenesis—despite the usual reactive stimulation of bone formation—remain poorly understood. In this study, we employed spatial transcriptomic approaches to visualize gene expression within the tumor microenvironment of GCTB.