Triple Negative Breast Cancer: A review

Abstract

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), a more common subtype of breast cancer in young women, is characterized by the absence of ER/PR/Her2 expression. There is substantial molecular (and clonal) heterogeneity within TNBC, although it is not clear that these biomarkers predict for therapeutic response to targeted treatments. The current systemic management relies on chemotherapy. Promising targets for further therapeutic exploration include: DNA damage repair insufficiency (“BRCAness”), androgen receptor (AR) expression, and increased mutational load. We review the standard management of early and advanced TNBC, and then review the most promising of the therapeutic targets and their clinical status to date