Spatial Transcriptomics Reveals Molecular Biological Differences Between IDC and DCIS/LCIS in Breast Cancer

This study employs spatial transcriptomics to systematically characterize the molecular heterogeneity between invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and ductal carcinoma in situ/lobular carcinoma in situ (DCIS/LCIS) of the breast. Using spatial expression maps generated via the 10x Genomics Visium platform and incorporating the spaGCN graph neural network model, we achieved precise delineation of tumor tissue regions and identification of critical transitional boundaries. Differential expression analysis revealed significant activation of the NF-κB pathway, cancer-related signaling cascades, and the p53 signaling pathway in IDC, suggesting enhanced proliferative, migratory, and immune evasion capacities. Functional enrichment analysis further indicated coordinated pathway reprogramming in IDC cells, reflecting key molecular drivers in the transition from in situ carcinoma to invasive cancer. These findings provide new insights into the spatial molecular landscape of breast cancer and the mechanisms underlying tumor invasion, offering a theoretical foundation for targeted therapy and refined molecular.