Immunotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2).
• TNBC is an aggressive subtype with limited treatment options, primarily relying on cytotoxic chemotherapy.
• Emerging research indicates that chemotherapy can activate immune responses, and TNBC is recognized as immunogenic, suggesting potential for immunotherapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current systemic immunotherapies under investigation for treating triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
• To highlight the immunogenic nature of TNBC and its higher expression of PD-L1 and CD8+ T cell infiltration.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on systemic immunotherapies for TNBC.
• Analysis of studies investigating immune responses to chemotherapy in TNBC.
• Examination of clinical investigations of PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors in TNBC patients.

Main Results:

• TNBC exhibits higher PD-L1 mRNA expression and greater CD8+ T cell infiltration.
• Chemotherapies like anthracyclines can activate CD8+ T cell responses, enhancing anti-tumor immunity.
• Monoclonal antibodies targeting PD-1 (Pembrolizumab) and PD-L1 (Atezolizumab) have been investigated for TNBC treatment.

Conclusions:

• Systemic immunotherapy represents a promising therapeutic avenue for TNBC.
• Further research into vaccines and immunotherapies targeting CTLA-4 and PD-L1 is ongoing for TNBC treatment.