In this study, we have designed a RT-MLPA assay for simultaneous detection of seven genes, reported to have specific expression patterns during phases of breast cancer progression: CD24, CD44, CDH2, CDH1, ERBB2, KRT19 and HUWE1. For solid tumours, the CD44+ phenotype is correlated with breast cancer initiator/stem cells20, while CD24+ cells are associated with poor survival of breast cancer patients21. Here, CD24 is linked to breast cancer.