# Lipid Unsaturation in Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells

> **NIH NIH R01** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $115,070

## Abstract

The focus of this R01 application is to characterize and target a new metabolic
vulnerability of ovarian cancer stem cells (CSCs) described by our collaborative team.
By using hyperspectral stimulated Raman scattering imaging of single living cells and
mass spectrometry analysis of extracted lipids we identified increased levels of
unsaturated lipids in ovarian CSCs compared to non-CSCs. Based on these results, we
hypothesized that altered lipid metabolism is critical to the survival and the unique
functions of ovarian CSCs and can be targeted to eradicate recalcitrant cells
responsible for tumor recurrence. In this project we propose to analyze the
mechanism by which increased lipid unsaturation mediated by Δ9 and Δ6 fatty acid
desaturases regulates NF-Kand retinoic acid signaling to promote ovarian CSC
survival. Effects of Δ9 and Δ6 fatty acid desaturases inhibitors will be tested in ovarian
xenografts and in patient derived xenografts (PDX) enriched in CSCs by treatment with
platinum. Label free chemical imaging will use a multimodal high-speed hyperspectral
stimulated Raman spectroscopy (SRS) microscope to visualize lipid metabolism in CSCs
in situ. SRS microscopy will study for the first time changes induced by platinum
treatment in human tumors or by treatment with desaturase inhibitors in ovarian
xenografts or PDXs. We envision that the in depth characterization of the fatty acid
metabolism in CSCs will reveal key survival mechanisms linked to stemness and
persistence of resistant cells after chemotherapy. In the long run, our studies will be
instrumental in developing new strategies to attack deadly ovarian cancer.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10150450
- **Project number:** 3R01CA224275-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Ji-Xin Cheng
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $115,070
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2018-08-01 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10150450

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10150450, Lipid Unsaturation in Ovarian Cancer Stem Cells (3R01CA224275-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10150450. Licensed CC0.

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