Abstract
The identification and characterization of cancer stem cells might lead to more effective control of neoplastic disease, by directing therapies to the most aggressive cells. For that reason, the identification of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in breast tumours is one of the priorities in breast cancer research, which has resulted in many studies attempting to identify their presence based on the expression of specific molecular markers. In this review, we describe the main molecular markers that have been identified as being able to recognise CSCs in breast carcinomas, the major molecular pathways that regulate CSCs and their association with the different molecular subtypes.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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AC133 Antigen
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Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 Family
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Animals
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Antigens, CD / analysis
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Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
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Breast / pathology
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Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
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Female
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Glycoproteins / analysis
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Humans
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Hyaluronan Receptors / analysis
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Isoenzymes / analysis
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Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology*
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Peptides / analysis
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Retinal Dehydrogenase / analysis
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Signal Transduction / physiology
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Wnt Signaling Pathway / physiology
Substances
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AC133 Antigen
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Antigens, CD
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Biomarkers, Tumor
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CD44 protein, human
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Glycoproteins
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Hyaluronan Receptors
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Isoenzymes
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Peptides
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Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 Family
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ALDH1A1 protein, human
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Retinal Dehydrogenase