Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance

Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance

Early diagnosis and treatment can often cure cancer. However, even with treatment, residual cells called cancer stem cells (CSC) might remain, often causing tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells possess the potential for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation and are often responsible for the therapeutic resistance displayed in most cancers.
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...

Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance

Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance

Early diagnosis and treatment can often cure cancer. However, even with treatment, residual cells called cancer stem cells (CSC) might remain, often causing tumor recurrence. These cancer stem cells possess the potential for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation and are often responsible for the therapeutic resistance displayed in most cancers.
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...

Distinctive Features of Adult Stem Cells vs Cancer Stem Cells

Distinctive Features of Adult Stem Cells vs Cancer Stem Cells

A stem cell is an unspecialized cell that can divide without limit as needed and can, under specific conditions, differentiate into specialized cells.
Adult stem cells
Adult stem cells are tissue-specific; hence, they divide to develop the tissue from which they originate. One type of adult stem cell is the epithelial stem cell, which gives rise to the keratinocytes in the multiple layers of epithelial cells in the epidermis of the skin. Adult bone marrow has three distinct types of stem cells:...

Stem Cell Therapy for Tissue Regeneration

Stem Cell Therapy for Tissue Regeneration

Stem cell therapy is a method used in regenerative medicine to repair and restore function to damaged tissues and organs. Stem cells have the potential to proliferate and differentiate into various tissue types, making them ideal candidates for tissue regeneration. For example, hematopoietic stem cell transplants are commonly used in blood cancer treatment to replenish damaged bone marrow and restore healthy blood cells.
Types of Stem Cells used in Stem Cell Therapy
The two main cell types that...

Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells that can differentiate into most connective tissue cell types, except for hematopoietic cells, depending upon the source of MSCs. For example, bone-marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) can differentiate into osteocytes, hepatocytes, and pancreatic and neuronal cells. MSCs can be isolated from various sources such as bone marrow, placenta, adipose tissue, teeth, and Wharton’s jelly, a gelatinous substance in the umbilical cord. The ease of their access...

Source And Potency Of Stem Cells

Source And Potency Of Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with extensive self-renewal properties that help them maintain their population during the fetal and adult stages of life. They can specialize in all cell types of the human body. However, their differential potential may vary and can be classified into five types. Stem cells can be (1) Totipotent, (2) Pluripotent, (3) Multipotent, (4) Oligopotent, and (5) Unipotent. Each stem cell has a specific origin; the fertilized egg or zygote is a totipotent cell and...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Immune-related pathologic response (irPR) features and immunotherapeutic response score (ITRS) predict survival following neoadjuvant/conversion combined immunotherapy in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Virchows Archiv : an international journal of pathology·2026

Same author

Margin Adequacy in Phyllodes Tumours Revisited: Reappraisal of the Evidence Base and Knowledge Gaps.

Modern pathology : an official journal of the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology, Inc·2026

Same author

Malignant adenomyoepithelioma of the breast: seven cases illustrating morphological diversity and diagnostic challenges.

Histopathology·2026

Same author

DP103 as a critical modulator of Wnt signaling and cancer stemness: implications for precision treatment in triple negative breast cancer.

Cell death & disease·2026

Same author

Breast core needle biopsy diagnosis and personalized treatment: navigating pitfalls and challenging lesions.

Histopathology·2026

Same author

Beyond a two-tier model: equitable molecular diagnostics for all.

BMJ oncology·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

Isolation and Functional Assessment of Human Breast Cancer Stem Cells from Cell and Tissue Samples

Isolation and Functional Assessment of Human Breast Cancer Stem Cells from Cell and Tissue Samples

Published on: October 2, 2020

Breast cancer stem cells: an update.

Jabed Iqbal¹, Pek Yoon Chong, Puay Hoon Tan

¹Department of Pathology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore. jabed.iqbal@sgh.com.sg

Journal of Clinical Pathology

|January 17, 2013

Summary

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) drive breast cancer recurrence and treatment failure. This review explores CSC properties, markers, and therapeutic targeting strategies, while addressing controversies surrounding the CSC model.

Keywords:

Breast Cancer Cancer Stem Cells Molecular Oncology

More Related Videos

Obtaining Cancer Stem Cell Spheres from Gynecological and Breast Cancer Tumors

Obtaining Cancer Stem Cell Spheres from Gynecological and Breast Cancer Tumors

Published on: March 1, 2020

Synthesis and Characterization of an Aspirin-fumarate Prodrug that Inhibits NFκB Activity and Breast Cancer Stem Cells

Synthesis and Characterization of an Aspirin-fumarate Prodrug that Inhibits NFκB Activity and Breast Cancer Stem Cells

Published on: January 18, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 15, 2026

Isolation and Functional Assessment of Human Breast Cancer Stem Cells from Cell and Tissue Samples

Isolation and Functional Assessment of Human Breast Cancer Stem Cells from Cell and Tissue Samples

Published on: October 2, 2020

Obtaining Cancer Stem Cell Spheres from Gynecological and Breast Cancer Tumors

Obtaining Cancer Stem Cell Spheres from Gynecological and Breast Cancer Tumors

Published on: March 1, 2020

Synthesis and Characterization of an Aspirin-fumarate Prodrug that Inhibits NFκB Activity and Breast Cancer Stem Cells

Synthesis and Characterization of an Aspirin-fumarate Prodrug that Inhibits NFκB Activity and Breast Cancer Stem Cells

Published on: January 18, 2017

Area of Science:

Oncology
Cancer Biology
Molecular Medicine

Background:

Breast cancer remains a leading cause of mortality in women, with high rates of recurrence and treatment failure.
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are increasingly implicated in tumor progression, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance.
The precise nature and role of CSCs in breast cancer pathogenesis are still under investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the fundamental properties and molecular targets of CSCs.
To highlight recent advances in identifying CSC markers in breast cancer.
To discuss molecular mechanisms underlying CSC phenotypes and therapeutic targeting strategies.

Main Methods:

Literature review focusing on CSCs in breast cancer.
Analysis of molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets related to CSCs.
Discussion of experimental evidence and controversies surrounding the CSC model.

Main Results:

CSCs are proposed to be key drivers of breast cancer progression, metastasis, and treatment failure.
Identification of specific CSC markers is crucial for understanding and targeting these cells.
Targeting molecular pathways involved in CSC behavior shows therapeutic potential but faces challenges.

Conclusions:

Understanding CSCs is critical for developing more effective breast cancer therapies.
Targeting CSCs holds promise for overcoming treatment resistance and preventing recurrence.
Further research is needed to resolve controversies and solidify the CSC model in breast cancer treatment.