High PKCλ expression is required for ALDH1-positive cancer stem cell function and indicates a poor clinical outcome in late-stage breast cancer patients.

Despite development of markers for identification of cancer stem cells, the mechanism underlying the survival and division of cancer stem cells in breast cancer remains unclear. Here we report that PKCλ expression was enriched in basal-like breast cancer, among breast cancer subtypes, and was correlated with ALDH1A3 expression (p = 0.016, χ2-test).

High Expression of , and Predicts a Poor Prognosis in Late-stage Breast Cancer.

Background/aim: Co-expression of c-Met and ALDH1A3 indicates a poor prognosis in stage III-IV breast cancers and contributes to cell proliferation and tumor formation by ALDH1-positive breast CSCs. PKCλ is overexpressed and contributes to a poor prognosis in several cancers.

Materials And Methods: A breast cancer genomics data set (METABRIC, n=2509) was downloaded and analyzed, as was the effect c-Met and PKCλ inhibitors on ALDH1 cell viability and tumor-sphere formation.