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Mini-Review
Volume 3, Article ID: 2026.0025
Yunzhi Zou
zouyz1@sysucc.org.cn
Rong Xiang
xiangrong@sysucc.org.cn
Jixiang Zhao
zhaojx@sysucc.org.cn
Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, P. R. China
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed
Received: 31 Oct 2025 Accepted: 21 May 2026 Available Online: 21 May 2026
This article is part of the Special Issue Spatial Omics in Cancer: Decoding Heterogeneity, Microenvironment Crosstalk, and Therapeutic Implications
The human brain exhibits pronounced regional specialization in cellular composition, gene expression, and tissue organization. Increasing evidence indicates that these spatial differences influence where brain tumors arise and how they evolve. Across tumor entities such as gliomas, meningiomas, and brain metastases, specific molecular subtypes frequently display characteristic anatomical distributions, suggesting a functional coupling between tumor genetics and regional brain microenvironments.
In this mini review, we summarize recent advances in understanding how regional brain biology shapes the molecular and ecological landscapes of brain tumors. We discuss evidence linking anatomical location with tumor genotype, cellular states, and microenvironmental interactions. We further highlight the emerging concept of “region-aware oncology,” in which tumor behavior is interpreted within the anatomical and molecular context of the surrounding brain tissue.
A deeper understanding of this spatial coupling may improve tumor classification and support the development of region-informed diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Disclaimer: This is not the final version of the article. Changes may occur when the manuscript is published in its final format.