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Updated: Dec 30, 2025
Studying Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Orthotopic Breast Cancer Model
Published on: March 20, 2020
Quadruple negative breast cancer
Meiling Huang1, Jiang Wu1, Rui Ling2
1Department of Thyroid, Breast and Vascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
Abstract:
Quadruple negative breast cancer (QNBC), lacking the expression of ER (estrogen receptor), PR (progesterone receptor), HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor-2) and AR (androgen receptor), was regarded as one breast cancer subtype with the worst prognosis. Recently, the molecular features of QNBC are not well understood. Different from AR-positive triple-negative breast cancer, QNBC is insensitive to conventional chemotherapeutic agents and has no efficient treatment targets. However, QNBC has been shown to express unique proteins that may be amenable to use in the development of targeted therapies. Here we reviewed the features of QNBC and proteins that may serve as effective targets for QNBC treatment, such as ACSL4, SKP2, immune checkpoint inhibitors, EGFR, MicroRNA signatures and Engrailed 1.
Insights
Quadruple negative breast cancer (QNBC) lacks key receptors, leading to poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Research is exploring unique QNBC proteins for targeted therapy development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Quadruple negative breast cancer (QNBC) is defined by the absence of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), HER2, and androgen receptor (AR).
- QNBC presents the worst prognosis among breast cancer subtypes, with poorly understood molecular characteristics.
- This subtype is resistant to conventional chemotherapy and lacks established therapeutic targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the distinct molecular features of QNBC.
- To identify potential therapeutic targets for QNBC treatment.
- To explore novel therapeutic strategies for this aggressive breast cancer subtype.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on QNBC.
- Analysis of molecular markers and protein expression in QNBC.
- Identification of unique proteins and pathways associated with QNBC.
Main Results:
- QNBC exhibits unique protein expression profiles distinct from other breast cancer types.
- Several proteins, including ACSL4, SKP2, EGFR, and Engrailed 1, show potential as therapeutic targets.
- MicroRNA signatures and immune checkpoint inhibitors are also highlighted as promising avenues.
Conclusions:
- QNBC requires novel therapeutic approaches due to its aggressive nature and resistance to standard treatments.
- Targeting unique QNBC proteins offers a promising strategy for developing effective therapies.
- Further research into these targets could significantly improve outcomes for QNBC patients.
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