Determining the role of cancer stem cells in breast cancer

Only a small percentage of tumor cells, called cancer stem cells (CSCs) are able to form new tumors and spread to other parts of the body. To investigate the role of CSCs in breast cancer one must be able to accurately identify and isolate these cells. Accordingly, we propose the following three research objectives.First, we will determine if our newly identified breast CSC marker (called aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A3, ALDH1A3) can be used for breast cancer patient prognosis. We will measure the levels of ALDH1A3 in breast cancer patient tumors and determine if they correlate with patient outcome.Second, we will determine if ALDH1A3 directly promotes breast cancer aggressiveness. Importantly, these experiments have the potential to show, for the first time, why CSCs have a greater tumor-forming ability.Finally, in our previous screen of breast cancer patient tumor samples we identified other potential novel CSC markers. We will determine if these novel markers can be used successfully to 1) identify highly aggressive cancer cells (CSCs) that give rise to new tumors, and 2) predict cancer patient outcome. Conclusions from this study will aid clinicians in better predicting the metastatic risk to a breast cancer patient, which is critical when prescribing effective treatments for patients (including Nova Scotians).? To understand the role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in breast cancer by studying the prognostic, tumorigenic, and metastatic potential of novel breast CSC markers like ALDH1A3OBJECTIVE 1: To determine if prevalence of novel breast CSC marker ALDH1A3 in breast tumors is predictive of distal metastasis and patient outcome. OBJECTIVE 2: To determine if ALDH1A3 (and other ALDH isoforms) expression has a direct role in breast cancer tumorigenicity and metastasis. OBJECTIVE 3: To identify novel breast CSC markers.