Tumour Stem Cells in Breast Cancer

Abstract

Tumour stem cells (CSCs) are a self‐renewing population that plays important roles in tumour initiation, recurrence, and metastasis. Although the medical literature is extensive, problems with CSC identification and cancer therapy remain. This review provides the main mechanisms of CSC action in breast cancer (BC): CSC markers and signalling pathways, heterogeneity, plasticity, and ecological behaviour. The dynamic heterogeneity of CSCs and the dynamic transitions of CSC–non‐CSCs and their significance for metastasis are considered.