Precise Diagnosis of Small Invasive Pulmonary Nodules Driven by Single-Cell Immune Signatures in Peripheral Blood

Authors

Yang Xia
Yin Zhu
Sai Zhang
Mo Zhou
Jiaqi Zhou
Guanxin Xu
Baiqin Zhao
Guofei Zhang
Qiyuan Wang
Bin Wang
Zexin Chen
Hongyu Shi
Xiuning Le
Tony Mok
Wei Chen
Junqiang Fan
Weiwei Yin
Wen Li

Language

English

Publication Date

12-8-2025

Journal

Nature Communications

DOI

10.1038/s41467-025-65930-6

PMID

41360981

PMCID

PMC12686440

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

12-8-2025

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Early detection of lung cancer is crucial for improving patient outcomes. However, accurately diagnosing invasive pulmonary nodules and predicting tumor invasiveness remain major clinical challenges. Given the established role of immune dysfunction in cancer development, we hypothesize that peripheral immune profiling could provide a strategy for managing pulmonary nodules. In this multi-center, prospective study, we combine peripheral immune profiling via mass cytometry with machine learning algorithms to develop an integrated pulmonary nodule management platform. This platform accurately distinguishes invasive from non-invasive pulmonary nodules (AUC = 0.952), outperforming established clinical and radiomics-based models. Furthermore, it effectively predicts tumor invasiveness, differentiating minimally invasive from invasive adenocarcinoma (AUC = 0.949), thereby offering valuable guidance for surgical decision-making. In conclusion, the platform demonstrates substantial clinical utility and holds significant promise as a precision tool for future management of pulmonary nodules.

Keywords

Humans, Lung Neoplasms, Prospective Studies, Male, Female, Single-Cell Analysis, Multiple Pulmonary Nodules, Middle Aged, Aged, Solitary Pulmonary Nodule, Machine Learning, Neoplasm Invasiveness, Lung cancer, Cancer screening, Predictive markers

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Xia, Yang; Zhu, Yin; Zhang, Sai; et al., "Precise Diagnosis of Small Invasive Pulmonary Nodules Driven by Single-Cell Immune Signatures in Peripheral Blood" (2025). Faculty, Staff and Student Publications. 6125.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthgsbs_docs/6125