摘要：SummaryRecent data suggest that therapy-resistant quiescent cancer stem cells (qCSCs) are the source of relapse in colon cancer. Here, using colon cancer patient-derived organoids and xenografts, we identify rare long-term label-retaining qCSCs that can re-enter the cell cycle to generate new tumors. RNA sequencing analyses demonstrated that these cells display the molecular hallmarks of quiescent tissue stem cells, including expression of p53 signaling genes, and are enriched for transcripts common to damage-induced quiescent revival stem cells of the regenerating intestine. In addition, we identify negative regulators of cell cycle, downstream of p53, that we show are indicators of poor prognosis and may be targeted for qCSC abolition in both p53 wild-type and mutant tumors. These data support the temporal inhibition of downstream targets of p53 signaling, in combination with standard-of-care treatments, for the elimination of qCSCs and prevention of relapse in colon cancer.Graphical abstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•Colon tumors contain therapy-resistant quiescent cancer stem cells (qCSCs)•qCSC gene expression mirrors that of quiescent stem cells of the regenerating gut•qCSCs are enriched for p53 signaling genes•qCSC elimination may be achieved by inhibiting downstream targets of p53 signalingCancer stem cells ; Quiescence; Organoids; Colon cancer; p53 signaling; Transcriptomics
