Recent advances in breast cancer stem cell phenotypes and clinical application / 中国癌症杂志

The cancer stem cell theory suggests that cancer develops from a subset of tumor cells that possess characteristics of stem cells. Breast cancer stem cells comprise a sub-population, which possesses the capacity of self-renewal and the potential for differentiation and high tumorigenicity. Evidence from bothin vitro andin vivo studies demonstrates breast cancer stem cells are responsible for tumor relapse, invasion and metastasis, chemo- and radio-resistance and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Herein, this review highlighted the recent advances in breast cancer stem cells.