Max Wicha

Max Wicha co-discovered the breast cancer stem cell phenotype using CD44 and CD24 markers and has been a driving force in translating CSC biology into clinical practice, developing CSC marker-based assays for patient stratification and treatment monitoring. His laboratory identified ALDH activity as a complementary CSC marker and showed that CSCs exist in distinct epithelial-like (ALDH+) and mesenchymal-like (CD44+/CD24-) states that interconvert through epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity. He has led clinical trials testing CSC-targeting agents including Notch and Hedgehog inhibitors in combination with chemotherapy. His work bridges CSC biology with clinical oncology applications.