The invention includes compositions and methods for treating cancer comprising administering to a subject in need a pharmaceutically effective dose of a cancer stem cell inhibitor, methods of inhibiting the growth of cancer stem cells or tumor initiating cell comprising administering to a subject in need a pharmaceutically effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition for inhibiting cancer stem cells. The pharmaceutical composition includes various combinations of sulforaphane, resveratrol, mangostine, honokiol, diallyltrisulphide and gemcitabine.
