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Breast cancer stem cell hypothesis: clinical relevance (answering breast cancer clinical features)

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  • Molecular and Cellular Biology of Cancer
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Abstract

The cancer stem cells hypothesis arises from observation of normal tissue hierarchy and the demonstration of stem cells in normal tissues. Scientists continue to debate whether the putative cancer cells derive from the transformation of normal tissue stem cells or from more differentiated cells. The existence of a subpopulation of tumour cells with stem-cell-like characteristics, including very slow replication and resistance to standard chemotherapy, posses a novel therapeutic challenge. This review summarises the state of development of normal and cancer breast cells and the clinical and therapeutic relevance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medical Oncology Unit, Hospital Infanta Leonor, C/Gran Vía del Este, 80, ES-28031, Madrid, Spain

    Nuria Rodríguez Salas

  2. Surgery Department, Hospital del Henares, Coslada, Madrid, Spain

    Enrique González González

  3. Pathology Department Medical School, Autonoma University, Madrid, Spain

    Carlos Gamallo Amat

Authors
  1. Nuria Rodríguez Salas
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  2. Enrique González González
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  3. Carlos Gamallo Amat
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Correspondence to Nuria Rodríguez Salas.

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Rodríguez Salas, N., González González, E. & Gamallo Amat, C. Breast cancer stem cell hypothesis: clinical relevance (answering breast cancer clinical features). Clin Transl Oncol 12, 395–400 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12094-010-0526-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12094-010-0526-4

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