Human breast cancer stem cell markers CD44 and CD24: enriching for cells with functional properties in mice or in man?

doi:10.1186/bcr1673

Breast Cancer Research

Volume 9
Issue 3

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Human breast cancer stem cell markers CD44 and CD24: enriching for cells with functional properties in mice or in man?

Christine Fillmore¹ and Charlotte Kuperwasser²^,3

¹Department of Genetics, Sackler School, Tufts University School of Medicine, Harrison Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA

²Department of Anatomy & Cellular Biology, Sackler School, Tufts University School of Medicine, Harrison Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA

³Department of Radiation Oncology, Molecular Oncology Research Institute, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA

author email corresponding author email

Breast Cancer Research 2007, 9:303doi:10.1186/bcr1673


Published:	29 May 2007

Abstract

Identification of breast cancer stem cells as the cells within breast tumors that have the ability to give rise to cells that make up the bulk of the tumor mass has shifted the focus of cancer research. However, there is still much debate concerning the unique nature of the markers that distinguish cancer stem cells in the breast. As such, understanding whether CD44⁺/CD24^-breast cancer cells are merely more successful in overcoming an engraftment incompatibility that exists when injecting human cells into the mouse adipose tissue or are indeed bona fide cancer stem cells is of great importance.