Population and target considerations for triple-negative breast cancer clinical trials

Biomark Med. 2013 Feb;7(1):11-21. doi: 10.2217/bmm.12.114.

Abstract

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive disease subtype that has a poor prognosis. Extensive epidemiological evidence demonstrates clear socioeconomic and demographic associations with increased likelihood of TNBC in both poorer and minority populations. Thus, biological aggressiveness with few known therapeutic directions generates disparities in breast cancer outcomes for vulnerable populations. Emerging molecular evidence of potential targets in triple-negative subpopulations offers great potential for future clinical trial directions. However, trials must appropriately consider populations at risk for aggressive subtypes of disease in order to address this disparity most completely. New US FDA draft guidance documents provide both flexible outcomes for accelerated approvals as well as flexibility in design with adaptive trials. Careful planning with design, potential patient population and choices of molecular targets informed by biomarkers will be critical to address TNBC clinical care.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / metabolism
  • Receptors, Estrogen / metabolism
  • Receptors, Progesterone / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Receptors, Progesterone
  • Receptor, ErbB-2