Triple-negative breast cancer possibly transforming into malignant melanoma due to targeted therapy? A case report and review of literature.
BACKGROUND
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by lacking expression of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor as well as absence of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 overexpression and is an aggressive clinical phenotype.


METHODS
We report the case of a 33-year-old woman who has been treated using a targeted approach for TNBC and developed a malignant melanoma metastasis without any primary.


CONCLUSIONS
Using targeted therapies, tumors can be treated much more effectively, but up to now, we do not know much about potential adverse reactions. Due to the targeted therapy, tumors may be pressurized for transformation. We call for further investigations to rule out the potential risks of targeted therapy in TNBC. This is the first report of a potential transforming of one tumor entity to another by a targeted therapy.
Department for Dermatology,, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 8, 8036, Graz, Austria.
Birgit
B
Aigner
Sabine Gisela
SG
Plötz
Gerhard
G
Schaller
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics; D018450:Disease Progression; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000235:genetics; D008545:Melanoma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D009382:Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000235:genetics; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary; D064726:Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics
D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; C496540:PTGS2 protein, human; C512478:EGFR protein, human; C508053:ERBB2 protein, human