Regenerative MedicineHow Stem Cell Metabolism Changes With Age Could Unlock Leukemia Treatments
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the bone marrow produce all blood and immune cells throughout life. As we age, these stem cells undergo metabolic changes that impair their function and increase leukemia risk. This review compares the metabolic programs of young HSCs, aged HSCs, leukemia blasts, and leukemic stem cells, examining how glycolysis, mitochondrial activity, and amino acid and lipid metabolism differ across these states. Leukemic stem cells exploit metabolic vulnerabilities to resist standard therapies and drive relapse. The authors argue that understanding these metabolic differences creates two strategic opportunities: one to rejuvenate aged blood stem cells and restore healthy immune function, and another to selectively target and destroy leukemic stem cells. The review offers a roadmap for translating basic metabolic science into clinical interventions.
