Next-generation deconvolution of transcriptomic data to investigate the tumor microenvironment

Methods for in silico deconvolution of bulk transcriptomics can characterize the cellular composition of the tumor microenvironment, quantifying the abundance of cell types associated with patients’ prognosis and response to therapy. While first-generation deconvolution methods rely on precomputed, transcriptional signatures of a handful of cell types, second-generation methods can be trained with single-cell data to disentangle more fine-grained cell phenotypes and states. These novel approaches can also be applied to spatial transcriptomic data to reveal the spatial organization of tumors. In this review, we describe state-of-the-art deconvolution methods (first-generation, second-generation, and spatial) which can be used to investigate the tumor microenvironment, discussing their strengths and limitations. We conclude with an outlook on the challenges that need to be overcome to unlock the full potential of next-generation deconvolution for oncology and the life sciences.