Single-cell RNA sequencing comparison of the human metastatic prostate spine tumor microenvironment.

Spinal column tumors can be difficult to process for single-cell omic studies, given the heterogeneity in tissue. Here, we present a protocol for operating room-to-benchtop single-cell processing of clinical specimens from a prostate cancer patient. We describe steps for sample homogenization, red blood cell lysis, cryopreservation, and single-cell sequencing analysis. This protocol can be used to identify prognostic markers and therapeutic targets for patients with osseous spine metastases and better inform eligibility for clinical trials.