Triple-negative breast cancer brain metastasis: An update on druggable targets, current clinical trials, and future treatment options

Maryam Nakhjavani; Rasika M Samarasinghe; Sarah Shigdar

doi:10.1016/j.drudis.2022.01.010

Triple-negative breast cancer brain metastasis: An update on druggable targets, current clinical trials, and future treatment options

Drug Discov Today. 2022 May;27(5):1298-1314. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.01.010. Epub 2022 Jan 29.

Authors

Maryam Nakhjavani¹, Rasika M Samarasinghe², Sarah Shigdar²

Affiliations

¹ School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia. Electronic address: maryam.nakhjavani@deakin.edu.au.
² School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia.

PMID: 35101641
DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.01.010

Abstract

The key challenges with the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer brain metastasis (TNBC-BM) are the lack of any targeted therapy and difficulties associated with drug delivery to the brain. These add to the high toxicity profile of existing treatments and the poor outcomes for patient. In this review, we introduce current drugs based on their molecular targets and look to improve brain drug delivery using more efficient and promising drug delivery systems. We describe ongoing clinical trials on druggable targets in TNBC-BM for a more targeted treatment and introduce the obstacles hindering drug delivery to the brain, bringing strategies and advancing knowledge for future steps in the treatment of patients with TNBC-BM.

Keywords: Aptamer; Brain metastasis; Drug development; Nanoparticle; Novel drug delivery systems; Triple-negative breast cancer.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Brain Neoplasms* / drug therapy
Drug Delivery Systems
Humans
Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms* / pathology