Stem cell therapy: A paradigm shift in breast cancer treatment

Abstract

As per the latest Globocan statistics, the high prevalence rate of breast cancer in low- and middle-income countries has led to it becoming the most common cancer to be diagnosed, hence posing a major public health challenge. As per this data, more than 11.7% of the estimated new cancer cases in 2020 were due to breast cancer. A small but significant subpopulation of cells with self- renewing ability are present in the tumor stroma and have been given the nomenclature of cancer stem cells (CSCs). These cells display a high degree of plasticity owing to their ability to transition from the slowly cycling quiescent phase to the actively proliferating phenotype. This attribute of CSCs allows them to differentiate into various cell types having diverse functions. Breast CSCs have a pivotal role in development, metastasis, treatment resistance and relapse of breast cancers. This review focuses on the pathways regulating breast CSC maintenance and the current strategies that are being explored for directing the development of novel, targeted, therapeutic approaches for limiting and eradicating this aberrant stem cell population.

Keywords: Molecular genomics; Breast cancer stem cells; Tumor microenvironment; Molecular pathways; Targeted therapy; Inhibitors

Core Tip: Breast cancer is a complex, heterogeneous disease with distinct cancer subtypes, identified through gene expression profiling. The aim of this review is to understand the pathway driven, mechanistic control of breast cancer stem cells and explore the clinical and experimental studies investigating the role of breast cancer stem cells in disease progression. Key factors that are pivotal in breast cancer stem cell growth and their malignant behavior in breast cancer will be elucidated.