biostudies-literatureAloia ASeventh Framework Programme146https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC4660783biostudies-literatureUnknown17(1)<h4>Introduction</h4>Chemotherapy resistance resulting in incomplete pathologic response is associated with high risk of metastasis and early relapse in breast cancer. The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate biomarkers of treatment-resistant tumor cells.<h4>Methods</h4>We performed a cell surface marker screen in triple-negative breast cancer patient-derived xenograft models treated with standard care genotoxic chemotherapy. Global expression profiling was used to further characterize the identified treatment-resistant subpopulations.<h4>Results</h4>High expression of sialyl-glycolipid stage-specific embryonic antigen 4 (SSEA4) was found in residual tumor cells surviving chemotherapy and in samples from metastatic patients who relapsed after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Gene and miBreast cancer research : BCRThe sialyl-glycolipid stage-specific embryonic antigen 4 marks a subpopulation of chemotherapy-resistant breast cancer cells with mesenchymal features.PMC4660783ITN - FP7 - Marie Curie Action - 264361Deas OHardt OSaini MAgorku DSpaich SZickgraf FMTrumpp AKnobel SBissels URuberg STerranegra ASchneeweiss ACairo SGerstmayer BSprick MRFalleni MBosio AJudde JGPetrova ESoldati LSutterlin MAloia AWagner STomiuk SReitberger MfalseThe sialyl-glycolipid stage-specific embryonic antigen 4 marks a subpopulation of chemotherapy-resistant breast cancer cells with mesenchymal features.<h4>Introduction</h4>Chemotherapy resistance resulting in incomplete pathologic response is associated with high risk of metastasis and early relapse in breast cancer. The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate biomarkers of treatment-resistant tumor cells.<h4>Methods</h4>We performed a cell surface marker screen in triple-negative breast cancer patient-derived xenograft models treated with standard care genotoxic chemotherapy. Global expression profiling was used to further characterize the identified treatment-resistant subpopulations.<h4>Results</h4>High expression of sialyl-glycolipid stage-specific embryonic antigen 4 (SSEA4) was found in residual tumor cells surviving chemotherapy and in samples from metastatic patients who relapsed after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Gene and mi2015-01-01T00:00:00Z2015 Nov2026-06-09T05:48:52.838Z2026-06-09T03:08:30.871ZS-EPMC46607832660732710.1186/s13058-015-0652-6