Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

Studying Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Orthotopic Breast Cancer Model
09:29

Studying Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Orthotopic Breast Cancer Model

Published on: March 20, 2020

Triple negative breast cancer: a brief review of its characteristics and treatment options

Carrie L Griffiths1, Jacqueline L Olin

  • 1North Texas Veterans Health Care System, Dallas, TX 75216, USA. carrie.griffiths@gmail.com

Journal of Pharmacy Practice
|May 4, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive cancer subtype lacking common receptors, leading to limited treatment options. Future therapies focus on targeted molecular strategies and understanding TNBC

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer subtype.
  • TNBC lacks estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), and HER-2, limiting treatment options.
  • This subtype disproportionately affects younger women of African American or Hispanic descent.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the characteristics of triple negative breast cancer.
  • To discuss current treatment limitations and explore potential future therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on TNBC.
  • Analysis of TNBC characteristics, including demographics, tumor grade, and response to therapy.
  • Exploration of emerging targeted therapies.

Main Results:

  • TNBC exhibits high-grade tumors and initial responsiveness to chemotherapy.
  • High rates of recurrence, metastasis, and mortality are characteristic of TNBC.
  • Standard treatments for other breast cancers are ineffective against TNBC.

Conclusions:

  • Current mainstay treatment for TNBC is systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy.
  • Potential future therapies include poly (adenosine diphosphate ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, and antiangiogenic agents.
  • Further research into unique genetic characteristics of TNBC is crucial for developing novel targeted treatments.

Related Concept Videos

Treatment Resistent Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistent Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Treatment Resistant Cancers02:56

Treatment Resistant Cancers

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States. A cancer cell is genetically unstable and hence can mutate faster. They can also modify their microenvironment and escape immune surveillance. The difficulties in treating cancer are further compounded by the emergence of rapid resistance to anticancer drugs. The most common ways to attain resistance in cancer cells include alteration in drug transport and metabolism, modification of drug target, elevated DNA damage response, or...