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Isolation and Functional Assessment of Human Breast Cancer Stem Cells from Cell and Tissue Samples
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The Role of Breast Cancer Stem Cells in Chemoresistance and Metastasis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Lin He1, Neda Wick1, Sharon Koorse Germans1

  • 1Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 6201 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX 75235, USA.

Cancers
|December 24, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is aggressive due to limited treatments. Targeting breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) offers new hope for overcoming chemoresistance and preventing metastasis in TNBC patients.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Translational Medicine

Background:

  • Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) presents significant therapeutic challenges due to its aggressive nature and poor response to conventional chemotherapy.
  • Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are implicated as key drivers of tumorigenesis, metastasis, and chemoresistance in TNBC.
  • TNBC tumors exhibit a notable enrichment of BCSCs, highlighting them as critical therapeutic targets.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive review of recent advancements in understanding the role of BCSCs in TNBC.
  • To highlight the identification of cancer stem cell biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets in TNBC.
  • To discuss ongoing clinical trials and potential molecular pathways for targeting BCSCs to improve patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research on BCSCs in TNBC.
  • Analysis of identified cancer stem cell biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
  • Examination of clinical trial data for chemoresistant breast cancer treatments.

Main Results:

  • BCSCs are recognized drivers of TNBC progression, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance.
  • Numerous BCSCs targets are under investigation, with strategies focusing on selective or co-targeting approaches.
  • Ongoing clinical trials are exploring novel therapies aimed at overcoming chemoresistance and preventing metastasis.

Conclusions:

  • Targeting BCSCs holds significant promise for developing novel, effective therapies for TNBC.
  • Understanding the mutational landscape and signaling pathways of BCSCs is crucial for overcoming chemoresistance and metastasis.
  • Further research and clinical trials are essential to improve survival rates for patients with this aggressive disease.
Keywords:
breast cancer stem cellscancer stem cellschemoresistancemetastasistriple negative breast cancertumor biomarker

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