Pusan National University Identifies Metabolic Mechanisms of Cancer Stem Cells, Paving the Way for Precision Therapy of Intractable Cancers

A research team at Pusan National University has dissected the complex survival strategies of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which drive recurrence and metastasis and exhibit strong resistance to conventional therapies, paving the way for next-generation precision targeted treatments.

Pusan National University (President Choi Jaewon) announced on August 11 that Professor Yoon Buhyun's team from the Department of Life Sciences has identified the heterogeneity and metabolic plasticity of CSCs using advanced techniques such as single-cell omics and spatial transcriptomics analysis.

Professor Yoon Buhyun's team (Park Junhyung, Yoon Buhyun, Lee Haksoo, Kim Byungsu). Provided by Pusan National University

The research team confirmed that CSCs freely switch between glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, and alternative fuel sources such as glutamine and fatty acids, allowing them to adapt to various environments. This metabolic adaptability is a key factor in their treatment resistance.

The team also comprehensively examined how interactions with stromal cells, immune cells, and vascular endothelial cells promote metabolic symbiosis, thereby enhancing CSC survival and drug resistance. Based on these findings, they proposed a next-generation therapeutic strategy that combines dual metabolic inhibition with immune-based therapies.

Professor Yoon emphasized, "Cancer stem cells are the main culprits behind cancer recurrence, as they persist even after conventional treatments," and added, "Precisely targeting their metabolic survival strategies is crucial for therapeutic innovation."

This achievement was published in the August 5 issue of the world-renowned journal in biochemistry and molecular biology, Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy (IF 52.7, JCR 1/319).

The title of the paper is "Cancer stem cells: landscape, challenges and emerging therapeutic innovations," and the research was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea and the Future Earth Research Institute.