Vol 62, No 6 (2012)
Review paper
Published online: 2012-12-28
Diagnostics and treatment options in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology 2012;62(6):450-454.
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) refers to about 15–20% of all breast cancer cases. It is characterised by the
worst clinical outcome and poor prognosis. TNBC is defined by the lack of expression of estrogen, progesterone
and HER-2 receptors. Hormone receptor assays and HER2 testing is taken by immunohistochemistry examination
or fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH). Surgery remains the most frequently used mode of primary therapy
and breast conservation have the same outcomes as mastectomy. Patients with TNBC do not benefit from available
receptor-targeted therapy. Due to an absence of defined clinical targets, conventional chemotherapy remains the
standard treatment. Despite its worse clinical outcome TNBC when compared with other breast cancer subtypes
often exhibits superior sensitivity to chemotherapy. Many targeted therapeutic agents show promise in early stage
studies, but their clinical performance has yet to be definitively proven.
worst clinical outcome and poor prognosis. TNBC is defined by the lack of expression of estrogen, progesterone
and HER-2 receptors. Hormone receptor assays and HER2 testing is taken by immunohistochemistry examination
or fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH). Surgery remains the most frequently used mode of primary therapy
and breast conservation have the same outcomes as mastectomy. Patients with TNBC do not benefit from available
receptor-targeted therapy. Due to an absence of defined clinical targets, conventional chemotherapy remains the
standard treatment. Despite its worse clinical outcome TNBC when compared with other breast cancer subtypes
often exhibits superior sensitivity to chemotherapy. Many targeted therapeutic agents show promise in early stage
studies, but their clinical performance has yet to be definitively proven.