Molecular Biomarkers & Diagnosis

Therapeutic Targets in Breast Cancer Stem Cells

Abstract

Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) constitute a subpopulation of tumor cells with self-renewal capability,
expression of stem cell-like markers, and increased tumorigenicity in vivo. Clinical evidence has shown that BCSCs
play a major role in the initiation, maintenance, and outcome of breast tumors. Therefore, BCSCs have been identified
as ideal targets for the development of new therapies. Such therapies must consider the phenotypical differences
between BCSCs cells, non-stem tumor cells, and normal cells. This review summarizes different strategies for
BCSCs eradication that have been employed in preclinical assays, including: i) targeting proteins differentially
expressed such as surface markers, transporters, or enzymes; ii) inhibiting self-renewal pathways; and iii) blocking
the interaction of the BCSCs with their niche. These approaches may become the basis for the generation of effective
and clinically applicable therapies that prevent disease relapse, metastasis, and enhance patient survival.