In the current study, most of CD44+/CD24− or ALDH1+ cell-rich tumours belonged to the basal-like subtype, which accords with the several previous reports pointing to a relation between CSCs and the basal-like subtype (Honeth et al, 2008; Morimoto et al, 2009; Nalwoga et al, 2010; Park et al, 2010). The gene discussed is ALDH1A1; the disease is neoplasm.