[Triple negative breast cancer: a difficult disease to diagnose and treat]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Genetics
• Public Health

Context:

• Triple negative breast cancer (CMTN) lacks estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors, presenting diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
• CMTN is a heterogeneous group of neoplasms with varying prognoses, often difficult to identify without genetic profiling.
• This subtype disproportionately affects African-American and Latin populations, constituting a significant public health issue due to high morbidity and mortality.

Purpose:

• To review the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of triple negative breast cancer (CMTN).
• To discuss potential prognostic factors for CMTN.
• To explore current and emerging therapeutic strategies for CMTN.

Summary:

• Triple negative breast cancer (CMTN) is defined by the absence of key receptor expression.
• Genetic profiling is crucial for accurate CMTN subtyping but not standard practice.
• Chemotherapy remains primary due to a lack of targeted therapies, with ongoing research into new drug combinations.

Impact:

• Highlights the need for improved diagnostic methods, including genetic profiling, for CMTN.
• Emphasizes CMTN as a critical public health concern, particularly in specific demographic groups.
• Underscores the urgency for developing targeted therapies and updated treatment guidelines for CMTN.