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Breast Cancer Heterogeneity: Need to Review Current Treatment Strategies

Breast Cancer Heterogeneity: Need to Review Current Treatment Strategies Although the heterogeneity of breast cancer has long been recognized, the hierarchical organization and existence of tumor initiating subpopulation within breast tumors was not known until the last decade. These tumor initiating cells called cancer stem cells (CSCs) display features of stem cells such as unlimited ability to self-renew and lineage differentiation. Accumulating evidence now suggests that by virtue of their relative resistance to both radiation and chemotherapy, these cells contribute to resistance and relapse following therapy. Utilizing cell cultures and mouse xenograft models, we and others demonstrated that breast CSCs have far greater invasive and metastatic potential than differentiated tumor cells which comprise the tumor bulk. Altogether, these studies suggest that targeting and elimination of breast CSCs may be required to improve patient outcome. In this review, we will discuss recent developments in breast CSC research and advances in CSC specific targeted therapies that are in preclinical and clinical trials. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Current Breast Cancer Reports Springer Journals

Breast Cancer Heterogeneity: Need to Review Current Treatment Strategies

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References (78)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 2012 by Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
Subject
Medicine & Public Health; Internal Medicine; Oncology; Surgical Oncology
ISSN
1943-4588
eISSN
1943-4596
DOI
10.1007/s12609-012-0093-5
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Although the heterogeneity of breast cancer has long been recognized, the hierarchical organization and existence of tumor initiating subpopulation within breast tumors was not known until the last decade. These tumor initiating cells called cancer stem cells (CSCs) display features of stem cells such as unlimited ability to self-renew and lineage differentiation. Accumulating evidence now suggests that by virtue of their relative resistance to both radiation and chemotherapy, these cells contribute to resistance and relapse following therapy. Utilizing cell cultures and mouse xenograft models, we and others demonstrated that breast CSCs have far greater invasive and metastatic potential than differentiated tumor cells which comprise the tumor bulk. Altogether, these studies suggest that targeting and elimination of breast CSCs may be required to improve patient outcome. In this review, we will discuss recent developments in breast CSC research and advances in CSC specific targeted therapies that are in preclinical and clinical trials.

Journal

Current Breast Cancer ReportsSpringer Journals

Published: Oct 12, 2012

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