To explore which factor mediated the role of collagen XVII in metabolic reprogramming of CSCs in lung cancer, we performed a quantitative RT-PCR array followed by confirmation with western blotting analysis and found that HK2 was upregulated in A549 spheroid culture as well as in cells with collagen XVII overexpression (Fig. 4a, b, and c). This evidence concerns the gene HK2 and lung cancer.