The tumor stem cells in breast cancer. The role in pathogenesis and approaches to therapy

The breast cancer takes the leading position among all women cancers in the world and the Russian Federation. Despite great advances in treatment, unfortunately, distant metastasis of breast cancer may develop in patients at early stages of disease. This phenomenon can be explained by the new theory of tumor stem cells, capable of an unlimited period of time to share and support the development of a primary tumor. This review presents the concept of tumor stem cells, their clinical and prognostic significance in the breast cancer pathogenesis, the impact on the development of resistance to cytotoxic drugs and prospects for new and effective strategies and approaches to systemic anticancer therapy for breast cancer.