Targetable programs of adult cancer are ontogenically rooted within early cell fate trajectories of human pluripotent state

Recognized molecular similarities between pluripotency and cancer have recently been underscored with multi-omics campaigns revealing stemness networks that are shared between human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and tumors, where tumors types cluster based on tissue origins. Informed by these in silico studies, we now demonstrate hPSCs serve as a source of networks that define properties of adult tissue oncogenesis. Single cell deconstruction of hPSCs allowed germ layer primed subsets to be identified that corresponded to lineage specified adult cancers. Chemical probes that induced germ layer differentiation of hPSCs also suppressed adult cancers, but were restricted to tumors of shared origin with germ layer specification. Metallothioneines induced mesoderm differentiation of hPSC with exclusive ability to overcome differentiation block of human leukemia. Our study provides causal evidence for a relationship between pluripotent state and human cancer that defines oncogenic reprogramming and thereby identify covert targets for cancer therapy Overall design: Droplet-based single cell RNA sequencing of patient derived AML sample