Research progress of cancer stem cells in triple-negative breast cancer

There are abundant cancer stem cells (CSCs) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). CSCs can maintain their phenotype by unique molecular mechanism and tumor microenvironment, and can promote the chemotherapy resistance and recurrence of TNBC. Blocking these key molecules or altering tumor microenvironment can reduce CSCs, and then inhibited cancer growth and reverse chemotherapy resistance of TNBC. Key words: Breast neoplasms; Neoplastic stem cells; Therapy; Drug resistance; Triple negative breast neoplasms