The ALDH1A3 Reporter Construct: A Novel Mechanism of Identifying and Tracking the Breast Cancer Stem Cell Population

Abstract

Cancer stem cells lie at the heart of progression and relapse for many solid tumours including breast cancers. The Breast Cancer Stem Cell (BCSC) population is typically isolated via a combination of markers utilizing various staining techniques which prevents the ability to track dynamic changes in expression and to dissect the role in pathogenesis overtime. Here we report the development of a reporter for the expression of Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1A3 (ALDH1A3), a marker of high clinical importance in many breast cancers, and other solid tumours. BCSCs displaying increased transcriptional activation of ALDH1A3 demonstrate an increase in self-renewal capabilities. This tool improves the ability to reliably follow select cancer stem cell populations over time.