Clinical implications of molecular heterogeneity in triple negative breast cancer

Breast. 2015 Nov;24 Suppl 2(0 2):S36-40. doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2015.07.009. Epub 2015 Aug 5.

Abstract

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a molecularly heterogeneous disease lacking recurrent targetable alterations and thus therapeutic advances have been challenging. The absence of ER, PR and HER2 amplifications, leaves combination chemotherapy as the standard of care treatment option in the adjuvant, neoadjuvant and metastatic settings. Recently, multiple studies have shed some light on the heterogeneity of TNBC and identified distinct transcriptional subtypes with unique biologies. Herein we review the molecular heterogeneity and the impact on previous and future clinical trials.

Keywords: Androgen receptor; Chemotherapy; Neoadjuvant; PIK3CA; TNBCtype.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Genetic Heterogeneity*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Mutation
  • Patient Selection
  • Phenotype
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents