Promising therapeutic options in triple-negative breast cancer

Bilici, A.; Arslan, C.; Altundag, K.

Journal of BUON Official Journal of the Balkan Union of Oncology 17(2): 209-222

2012


ISSN/ISBN: 1107-0625
PMID: 22740196
Document Number: 662516
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a greater risk of recurrence despite more aggressive therapy even in lowrisk category. TNBC is high grade, hormone receptor and HER-2 negative, it exhibits a high level of Ki-67 staining and expresses the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR). Because of its expression profile, treatment options are limited to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Molecular defects that give rise to BRCA1-associated breast cancer also occur in TNBC. Thus, the combination of poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase (PARP) inhibitors with drugs that cause DNA breakages, such as alkylating agents and topoisomerase I inhibitors, could theoretically potentiate the efficacy of each drug in patients with TNBC. Clinical trials with various targeted approaches alone or in combination with different chemotherapeutic agents are currently underway. In this review, current and future treatment approaches in TNBC with novel targeted agents are discussed.

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