We show that the eIF4E1-eIF4G1 interaction inhibitor 4EGI-1 preferentially inhibits breast CSCs compared to non-CSC breast cancer cells, effectively suppresses breast CSC tumor growth, selectively inhibiting translation of mRNAs encoding NANOG, OCT4, CXCR4, c-MYC, cyclin D1, c-MYB and VEGF, but not eIF1A or eIF5. The gene discussed is POU5F1; the disease is breast cancer.