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Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Obtaining Cancer Stem Cell Spheres from Gynecological and Breast Cancer Tumors
Published on: March 1, 2020
[The cancer stem cell: the breast cancer driver]
Christophe Ginestier1, Hasan Korkaya, Gabriela Dontu
1University of Michigan Medical Center, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Int Med-Hematology/Oncology, 1500 E Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. cginesti@umich.edu
Abstract:
Recent research in a large variety of tumors, including breast cancer, has given support to the "cancer stem cell hypothesis". Based on this, tumors contain and are driven by a cellular subcomponent that retains key stem cell properties. These include self-renewal, which drives tumorigenesis, and the capacity to generate cellular heterogeneity. Recently, different techniques have been used to isolate potential breast cancer stem cells with the cell surface phenotype CD44+CD24-/low lin- or expressing Aldehyde dehydrogenase. This model has fundamental implications for breast cancer treatment. The development of specific therapeutics that target this population is an important focus for the future.
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