The present invention provides compositions and methods for the culture and maintenance of
cancer stem cells. More particularly, the present invention provides the identification of
cancer stem cell specific markers and methods of recognizing the same for the detection of tumors, for facilitating the prognosis of a patient with a tumor, and for the treatment of various cancers. The invention also provides antibodies that specifically recognize the disulfide linked
Erbb2Δ16 homodimer, an
Erbb2Δ16 /
Erbb3 heterodimer, or post-translational modifications of Erbb2 that are specific to Erbb2 of variant hESCs. In addition, the invention provides a modified defined media useful in the absence of a
feeder layer and in the absence of serum or serum replacement, that comprises a basal salt
nutrient solution, bFGF, IGF-I, and
Activin A, and wherein the composition does not comprise heregulin. The invention further relates to the use of an Erbb2 variant isoform to generate robust
cell cultures that are independent of heregulin.