Conflicting metabolic alterations in cancer stem cells and regulation by the stromal niche

Recent studies have revealed that cancer stem cells (CSCs) undergo metabolic alterations that differentiate them from non-CSCs. Inhibition of specific metabolic pathways in CSCs has been conducted to eliminate the CSC population in many types of cancer. However, there is conflicting evidence about whether CSCs depend on glycolysis or mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) to maintain their stem cell properties. This review summarizes the latest knowledge regarding CSC-specific metabolic alterations and offers recent evidence that the surrounding microenvironments may play an important role in the maintenance of CSC properties. (C) 2021, The Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

Recent studies have shown that cancer stem cells undergo metabolic alterations that differentiate them from non-CSCs, and inhibiting specific metabolic pathways in CSCs has been conducted to eliminate the CSC population in various types of cancer. However, there is conflicting evidence on whether CSCs rely on glycolysis or mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) to maintain their stem cell properties, and recent evidence suggests that the surrounding microenvironments may play a role in maintaining CSC properties.