Provided are methods of identifying a metabolic target in a cancer stem cell that include using a microarray to identify intracellular signaling networks within a population of cancer stem cells that respond to a growth factor for the stem cell. Also provided are methods of determining a personalized therapeutic regime that include receiving metabolic information relating to a cancer stem cell in a patient, determining the patient's personal criteria relevant to the therapeutic regime, and combining the metabolic and personal criteria. Also provided are a diagnostic test for establishing a personalized therapeutic regime for a colon cancer patient and methods of reducing colon cancer stem cells/treating colon cancer.