Cancer Stem Cells Have an 'Energy Addiction' That Scientists Can Target

Topic: Health

Researchers at the University of Colorado found that high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) stem cells rely heavily on a molecule called NAD to produce energy. They discovered that blocking this pathway weakens these cancer-causing cells while leaving healthy blood-forming stem cells intact.

Scientists at the University of Colorado Anschutz Cancer Center have made an important discovery about cancer stem cells. These cells are responsible for high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), a type of blood cancer that affects older adults.

Myelodysplastic syndromes are blood cancers that interfere with the bone marrow's ability to make healthy blood cells. People with MDS can develop severe anemia, experience frequent infections, and need repeated blood transfusions. High-risk MDS can also advance to acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a difficult-to-treat form of leukemia.

The researchers found that high-risk MDS stem cells depend heavily on NAD, a molecule that helps cells produce energy. They discovered that blocking the pathway responsible for maintaining NAD weakened these cancer-causing cells while leaving healthy blood-forming stem cells intact.

This is because high-risk MDS stem cells have an 'energy addiction' – they rely too heavily on NAD to produce energy. Healthy blood-forming stem cells, on the other hand, can adjust their energy production when needed.

The researchers plan to investigate drugs that target this pathway in clinical studies involving people with MDS and related blood cancers.

Why It Matters

This discovery could lead to more effective treatments for blood cancer patients. By targeting the 'energy addiction' of high-risk MDS stem cells, scientists may be able to develop new therapies that are more precise and effective.

Key Facts

• High-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) is a type of blood cancer that affects older adults.
• The researchers found that high-risk MDS stem cells rely heavily on NAD to produce energy.
• Blocking the pathway responsible for maintaining NAD weakened these cancer-causing cells while leaving healthy blood-forming stem cells intact.
• The researchers plan to investigate drugs that target this pathway in clinical studies involving people with MDS and related blood cancers.
• High-risk MDS occurs mainly in older adults, with an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 people diagnosed each year in the United States.

Key Terms

NAD

A molecule that helps cells produce energy

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)

A type of blood cancer that affects older adults

Implications

This discovery could lead to more effective treatments for blood cancer patients. By targeting the 'energy addiction' of high-risk MDS stem cells, scientists may be able to develop new therapies that are more precise and effective.