Klabukov I, Baranovskii D, Eygel D, Yatsenko E. Letter to the Editor: Cancer stem cell and oncomatrix biomarkers predict chemotherapy response and survival in triple-negative breast cancer. World J Clin Oncol 2026; 17(7): 120955 [DOI: 10.5306/wjco.120955]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Ilya Klabukov, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Regenerative Medicine, National Medical Research Radiological Center, 4 Koroleva Street, Obninsk 249036, Kaluzhskaya Oblast’, Russia. ilya.klabukov@gmail.com
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Oncology
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letter
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Klabukov I, Baranovskii D, Eygel D, Yatsenko E. Letter to the Editor: Cancer stem cell and oncomatrix biomarkers predict chemotherapy response and survival in triple-negative breast cancer. World J Clin Oncol 2026; 17(7): 120955 [DOI: 10.5306/wjco.120955]
World J Clin Oncol. Jul 24, 2026; 17(7): 120955 Published online Jul 24, 2026. doi: 10.5306/wjco.120955
Letter to the Editor: Cancer stem cell and oncomatrix biomarkers predict chemotherapy response and survival in triple-negative breast cancer
Ilya Klabukov, Denis Baranovskii, Daria Eygel, Elena Yatsenko
Ilya Klabukov, Denis Baranovskii, Daria Eygel, Elena Yatsenko, Department of Regenerative Medicine, National Medical Research Radiological Center, Obninsk 249036, Kaluzhskaya Oblast’, Russia
Denis Baranovskii, Institute of Systems Biology and Medicine, Russian University of Medicine, Moscow 127473, Moskva, Russia
Author contributions: Klabukov I designed research and wrote the letter; Baranovskii D and Eygel D analyzed data; Yatsenko E revised the letter.
Supported by the Russian Science Foundation, No. 24-64-00028.
Conflict-of-interest statement: There are no conflicts of interest to report.
Corresponding author: Ilya Klabukov, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Regenerative Medicine, National Medical Research Radiological Center, 4 Koroleva Street, Obninsk 249036, Kaluzhskaya Oblast’, Russia. ilya.klabukov@gmail.com
Received: March 12, 2026 Revised: March 23, 2026 Accepted: April 16, 2026 Published online: July 24, 2026 Processing time: 134 Days and 18.1 Hours
Abstract
We read with great interest the clinical study published in the World Journal of Clinical Oncology by Depar et al investigated the associations of cancer stem cells (CSC) markers (CD44, CD24, ALDH1) with chemotherapy response and survival in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. Current advanced approaches for the treatment of chemoresistant TNBC focus on mRNA-based therapy as a form of personalized medicine designed to overcome conventional therapeutic resistance. Among the clinical findings, the study by Depar et al also focuses on the availability of personalized medicine alternatives for patients with hard-to-cure cancers, using Pakistan as an example of a developing economy. Beyond the other findings of the study, one particular idea is worth noting: Advanced diagnostics are needed not to replace current approaches, but to be applied in low-income economies that cannot afford high-cost diagnostic methods. Indeed, the development of expensive therapies for resistant cancers has been limited in effectiveness by population-specific genetic patterns. Screening studies aimed at identifying substitute biomarkers associated with the CSC microenvironment or tumor extracellular matrix properties could provide a basis for selecting personalized therapies. This "leapfrogging" approach appears to be especially beneficial for high-risk patients with chemoresistant TNBC.
Core Tip: Advanced diagnostics are required not as replacements for existing approaches, but for application in developing economies that lack the resources to support high-cost diagnostic techniques. The use of advanced substitutional biomarkers associated with cancer stem cells or tumor extracellular matrix properties could enable leapfrogging toward personalized therapy.
