Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer that lacks expression of the estrogen and progesterone receptor and does not overexpress human epidermal growth factor 2 receptor protein. TNBC is associated with special characteristics, including aggressiveness, poor prognosis and poor response to treatment, and has been attracting increasing attention worldwide. Obesity is a well-documented factor exerting a significant effect on the development of breast cancer, including TNBC. The purpose of the present review was to focus on the association between obesity and TNBC and provide a summary of novel research findings. The aim was to highlight the association between TNBC and obesity and provide an overview of novel outlooks on clinical issues, biological rationale, novel targeted therapies and prognosis, in order to draw attention to the significance of weight management, primary prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of this intractable disease.
Keywords: biological rationale; clinical issues; novel targeted therapies; obesity; prognosis; triple-negative breast cancer.