Mitochondrial oxidative metabolism contributes to maintain a cancer stem cell phenotype in cholangiocarcinoma

Introduction: Accumulating evidence indicates cancer stem cells (CSC) as a key target in cancer. Although metabolic reprogramming is considered an important feature of cancer cells, little is known about metabolic regulation in CSC derived from cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). This study investigated the role of mitochondria-dependent metabolism and of the related signaling pathways in the maintenance of a stem-state in CCA.