Some breast cancer tumors may not originate from stem cells?

Surprise breast cancer source by Jennifer Welsh,TheScientist.com, September 2, 2010. First paragraph:

Some breast cancer tumors may not originate from stem cells as previously believed, according to a study published in the September 3rd issue of Cell Stem Cell. The discovery is an important step in the development of treatments for these cancers.

This news story is based on the publication: BRCA1 Basal-like Breast Cancers Originate from Luminal Epithelial Progenitors and Not from Basal Stem Cells by Gemma Molyneux and 11 co-authors, including Matthew J Smalley, Cell Stem Cell 2010(Sep 3); 7(3): 403-417. OA article [Full text] [PubMed citation].

A commentary: Cancer Cell of Origin: Spotlight on Luminal Progenitors by Christine L Chaffer and Robert A Weinberg, Cell Stem Cell 2010(Sep 3); 7(3): 271-272. [PubMed citation].

Luminal progenitor cells in breast cancer

A new progenitor cell population in breast cancer, Nature Asia-Pacific, August 3, 2009. First paragraph:

Some breast cancers are thought to arise from mammary stem cells that mutate, but a study published in this week's Nature Medicine indicates that luminal cells that line the mammary ducts may also be tumor progenitors.

This Research Highlight is based on the publication: Aberrant luminal progenitors as the candidate target population for basal tumor development in BRCA1 mutation carriers by Elgene Lim and 20 co-authors, including kConFab, Jane E Visvader and Geoffrey J Lindeman, Nat Med 2009(Aug 2) [Epub ahead of print]. Final sentence of the PubMed Abstract:

Our findings suggest that an aberrant luminal progenitor population is a target for transformation in BRCA1-associated basal tumors.

See also: Breast cancer discovery heralds diagnosis hope by Nick Miller, theage.com.au, August 3, 2009. Excerpt:

The breakthrough research came from the study of a unique collection of breast cancer tissue donated by Australian women.

And: Stem cell 'daughters' lead to breast cancer, EurekAlert, August 2, 2009. [FriendFeed entry]. Note to anyone who might find this title confusing: The word 'daughters' refers to cells that are produced by stem cells, not to the 'daughters' of patients!