Treatment options for patients with triple-negative breast cancer

Abstract

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease composed of different subtypes, characterized by their different clinicopathological characteristics, prognoses and responses to treatment. In the past decade, significant advances have been made in the treatment of breast cancer sensitive to hormonal treatments, as well as in patients whose malignant cells overexpress or amplify HER2. In contrast, mainly due to the lack of molecular targets, little progress has been made in the treatment of patients with triple-negative breast cancer. Recent improved understanding of the natural history, pathophysiology, and molecular features of triple-negative breast cancers have provided new insights into management and therapeutic strategies for women affected with this entity. Ongoing and planned translational clinical trials are likely to optimize and improve treatment of women with this disease.

Figure 1

Schematic diagram the represents the significant overlap that exists between triple-negative (TNBC), basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) and breast cancer that arises in patients who have a BRCA mutation. While the majority of cancers that are TNBC are also BLBC. Non-basal triple-negative breast cancer also exists. Similarly most breast cancers that occur in women with BRCA mutations are TNBC and of the BLBC subtype, however this overlap is not complete.