Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Overview
Overview
It is now commonly understood that breast cancer is not one form of cancer, but many different “subtypes” of cancer.[1] [2] These subtypes of breast cancer are generally diagnosed based upon the presence, or lack of, three “receptors” known to fuel most breast cancers: estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2).[3] The most successful treatments for breast cancer target these receptors.[4]
Unfortunately, none of these receptors are found in women with triple negative breast cancer. A triple negative breast cancer diagnosis means that the offending tumor is estrogen receptor-negative, progesterone receptor-negative and HER2-negative, thus giving rise to the name “triple negative breast cancer.”[5][6] On a positive note, this type of breast cancer is typically responsive to chemotherapy.[7] Because of its triple negative status, however, triple negative tumors generally do not respond to receptor targeted treatments.[8][9] Depending on the stage of its diagnosis, triple negative breast cancer can be particularly aggressive, and more likely to recur than other subtypes of breast cancer.[10][11][12]
Triple negative breast cancer accounts for approximately 15% of all breast cancer cases.[13] It occurs most often in African American and younger women.[14][15] [16][17] Because it is a recently recognized form of breast cancer, there is very little known about its pathology.[18] Thus, there is an urgent need for targeted research and better treatment options for this disease.[19]
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