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Updated: Nov 21, 2025
Studying Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Orthotopic Breast Cancer Model
Published on: March 20, 2020
Triple Negative Breast Cancer: A Review of Present and Future Diagnostic Modalities
Sylvia Annabel Dass1, Kim Liu Tan1, Rehasri Selva Rajan1
1Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine, Universiti Sains Malaysia, USM, Penang 11800, Malaysia.
Abstract:
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast type of cancer with no expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2). It is a highly metastasized, heterogeneous disease that accounts for 10-15% of total breast cancer cases with a poor prognosis and high relapse rate within five years after treatment compared to non-TNBC cases. The diagnostic and subtyping of TNBC tumors are essential to determine the treatment alternatives and establish personalized, targeted medications for every TNBC individual. Currently, TNBC is diagnosed via a two-step procedure of imaging and immunohistochemistry (IHC), which are operator-dependent and potentially time-consuming. Therefore, there is a crucial need for the development of rapid and advanced technologies to enhance the diagnostic efficiency of TNBC. This review discusses the overview of breast cancer with emphasis on TNBC subtypes and the current diagnostic approaches of TNBC along with its challenges. Most importantly, we have presented several promising strategies that can be utilized as future TNBC diagnostic modalities and simultaneously enhance the efficacy of TNBC diagnostic.
Insights
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is aggressive and hard to diagnose. New advanced technologies are needed to improve diagnostic efficiency and personalize treatment for better patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical Diagnostics
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype lacking ER, PR, and HER2 expression.
- TNBC accounts for 10-15% of breast cancers, characterized by high metastasis, heterogeneity, poor prognosis, and early relapse.
- Current diagnostic methods (imaging, IHC) are time-consuming and operator-dependent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review TNBC subtypes and current diagnostic challenges.
- To highlight the critical need for advanced diagnostic technologies.
- To present promising future strategies for TNBC diagnosis and treatment efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on TNBC characteristics.
- Analysis of current diagnostic approaches and their limitations.
- Exploration of emerging technologies for TNBC detection.
Main Results:
- TNBC presents significant diagnostic hurdles due to its aggressive nature.
- Existing diagnostic methods lack the speed and precision required for timely intervention.
- Several novel strategies show potential for improved TNBC diagnostics.
Conclusions:
- There is an urgent need for rapid, advanced diagnostic tools for TNBC.
- Future technologies could enhance diagnostic efficiency and personalize treatment.
- Developing new modalities is crucial for improving TNBC patient prognosis.
