Metabolic Marker and Therapeutic Target of Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a small population of cancer cells that have the ability to self-renew and initiate tumors in vivo. CSCs are resistant to conventional therapies and are responsible for tumor relapse after chemotherapy and the development of distant metastases. Researchers at Purdue University have developed new techniques that have the potential for discovery and treatment of ovarian cancer stem cells. Using spectrometry imaging, researchers found significantly higher levels of unsaturated lipids in ovarian cancer stem cells as compared to differentiated cancer cells, which look more like normal cells. Lipid desaturases are enriched in CSCs, making them a stable, universal, and functional metabolic marker for CSCs and the target for CSC-specific therapy. This is a promising treatment for ovarian cancer as well as other types of cancer.
Strong marker potential Possible therapeutic target
Ovarian cancer diagnostics Ovarian cancer treatment Possible use for other cancers
Ji-Xin ChengCheng LaboratoryPurdue Biomedical EngineeringPurdue Chemistry
United States
None
美国
