Stem cells in ductal breast cancer: immunohistochemical expression of CD44, CD24, CD133, and ALDH-1 markers in 104 cases

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of stem cell markers CD44, CD24, CD133, and ALDH-1 in breast carcinomas and investigate any correlation with stage, degree of tumor differentiation, cell proliferation index, and hormone receptors status. Materials and Methods: One hundred and four cases of invasive ductal breast carcinomas were studied and classified according to grade and stage, hormonal status, and C-erbB2 expression. A semi-automatic Ventana method was used to examine by semi-quantitative method the immunohistochemical expression of anti-CD133, CD24, CD44, and ALDH1 antibodies. Results: CD44, CD24, and ALDH1 markers demonstrated a statistically significant correlation with higher disease stage and triple negative cancers (94%-55.5%). CD133 correlated with triple negative cancers (55.5%). No correlation with other clinical data or tumor differentiation was observed. Conclusion: Triple negative breast cancers express specific stem cell markers responsible for cell/stroma interaction and this is a useful tool in predicting tumor progression and developing specific targeted therapies.