Molecular Heterogeneity of Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Curr Breast Cancer Rep. 2014 Sep 1;6(3):154-158. doi: 10.1007/s12609-014-0152-1.

Abstract

Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are known to be an aggressive group of breast cancers with higher rates of relapse stage for stage compared to ER/PR positive and HER2 positive breast cancers despite optimal loco-regional and systemic therapies. To date, not a single targeted therapy has been approved for the treatment of TNBC, and cytotoxic chemotherapy remains the standard systemic treatment. Recently, gene expression analyses identified six distinct TNBC subtypes, each displaying a unique biology. In this review we will discuss current and upcoming therapeutic strategies exploring novel approaches to targeted treatment of these TNBC subtypes.

Keywords: TNBC; Triple negative breast cancer; gene expression profiles; targeted therapy.