biostudies-literatureGupta AMinistry of Education - Singapore404https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12487525biostudies-literatureUnknown23(1)<h4>Background</h4>Advancements in chemotherapy have improved outcomes for rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children. However, relapse-free survival rates remain below 20% in metastatic alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS). Tumor-initiating cells (TICs) drive recurrence. Targeting this pool of cells has been shown to reduce relapse rates and metastasis in various cancers. Emerging evidence implicates lipid metabolism in supporting stem-like properties in cancer. However, TICs remain poorly characterized in ARMS. This study investigates the transcriptomic and metabolic profile of TICs in ARMS.<h4>Methods</h4>Transcriptomic and lipidomic profiling were performed on tumorsphere-derived and adherent cells from ARMS cells. Differential expression of metabolic genes andCell communication and signaling : CCSPLA2 driven lipid signaling drives ARMS tumorigenic cell properties.PMC12487525MOE-T2EP30222-0014Ramanathan BGupta ALoh AHPDas DTaneja RVadivellu AfalsePLA2 driven lipid signaling drives ARMS tumorigenic cell properties.<h4>Background</h4>Advancements in chemotherapy have improved outcomes for rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children. However, relapse-free survival rates remain below 20% in metastatic alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS). Tumor-initiating cells (TICs) drive recurrence. Targeting this pool of cells has been shown to reduce relapse rates and metastasis in various cancers. Emerging evidence implicates lipid metabolism in supporting stem-like properties in cancer. However, TICs remain poorly characterized in ARMS. This study investigates the transcriptomic and metabolic profile of TICs in ARMS.<h4>Methods</h4>Transcriptomic and lipidomic profiling were performed on tumorsphere-derived and adherent cells from ARMS cells. Differential expression of metabolic genes and2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Oct2026-06-04T04:21:09.783Z2026-05-04T03:14:17.725ZS-EPMC124875254103494610.1186/s12964-025-02409-3