Triple-negative breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Triple-negative breast cancer has been of great interest to oncologists because these cancers do not benefit from hormonal therapies or treatments targeted against human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 receptors. The only systemic therapy currently available is chemotherapy, and prognosis remains poor. We would like to describe recent pathological and genetic advancements and their possible implications on the development of new treatment strategies.


RESULTS
Increasing pathological and molecular knowledge has led to a better understanding of breast cancer in general. Triple-negative breast cancer, however, remains a heterogeneous subgroup with difficult-to-define subtypes. New targeted therapies are currently being developed and researched.


CONCLUSIONS
The recent advances in pathological and molecular knowledge have changed the landscape of breast cancer, with triple-negative breast cancer emerging as a pathological and clinical heterogeneous group. The main challenge lies in the development of new tailored treatment strategies for the various subgroups, with receptor kinase inhibition as the most promising new evolution to date. Further trials are needed to validate these new treatment options.
Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Herestraat, Leuven, Belgium.
Gert
G
Stockmans
Karen
K
Deraedt
Hans
H
Wildiers
Philippe
P
Moerman
Robert
R
Paridaens
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy*; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D011379:Prognosis; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D012008:Recurrence
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; C508053:ERBB2 protein, human