Generation of Breast Cancer Stem Cells by the EMT

Abstract

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition plays an important role in the progression of benign human breast cancer cells into highly malignant carcinoma derivatives. Recently, we have found that in addition to promoting the invasive and motile phenotypes of cancer cells, the EMT also confers on cancer cells certain stem-cell properties. However, it remained unclear whether such EMT products are actually stem cells or only cells having many of the properties of stem cells. In this study, we provided evidence that the EMT indeed produces bona fide mammary stem cells, which are able to reconstitute entire mammary ductal trees in vivo. We also identified key EMT-associated transcription factors that act as master regulators of mammary stem cells. These factors are both sufficient in inducing mammary stem cells from non-stem cells and necessary for maintaining pre-existing stem cells.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 10, 2010
Accession Number
ADA535356

Entities

People

  • Robert A. Wainberg

Organizations

  • Whitehead Institute

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Biology
  • Biomedical Research
  • Breast Cancer
  • Cancer
  • Cells
  • Demographic Cohorts
  • Epithelial Cells
  • Genes
  • Mammary Glands
  • Neoplasms
  • Regulators
  • Stem Cells
  • Transcription Factors
  • Transitions

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Oncology (Cancer Research).

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology