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Abstract Breast carcinoma is one of the main causes of death in women. It is well known that this neoplasm is a heterogeneous entity and encompasses several histological patterns and molecular subtypes. Despite combined treatment with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, a great percentage of breast cancer patients will eventually develop recurrent and/or metastatic disease. One of the most promising therapy targets came with the identification of a minute proportion of tumor cells with stem cell characteristics (CSCs). CSCs are defined as a distinct subpopulation of cancer-initiating cells owing to their long life and high proliferative capacity. These cells are capable of inducing a tumor that resembles the one from which they are derived. CSCs also possess the properties of selfrenewal, asymmetric cell division, resistance to apoptosis, independent growth, tumorigenicity, and metastatic potential. |