Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2025
Studying Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Orthotopic Breast Cancer Model
Published on: March 20, 2020
Retrospective Study of Treatment Patterns and Natural History of Patients with T1a/b N0 Triple-Negative Breast
Langfeier Liu1, Nicholas Lewis1, Weihong Sun2
1Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA.
Introduction:
T1a/b, node-negative (node-), triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are underrepresented in randomized drug-approving clinical trials. Given their low incidence, the clinicopathological features, natural history, and treatment patterns of these tumors remain insufficiently understood.
Methods:
We conducted a single-institution retrospective cohort study of patients with T1a/b, N0, M0 TNBCs. Deidentified patient- and tumor-related data were collected and summarized. Kruskal-Wallis, χ2, or Fisher exact tests were used to evaluate associations of interest. Kaplan-Meier methods, log-rank tests, and Cox's proportional hazards models were applied for survival analyses.
Results:
Of 108 cases of node- TNBCs measuring ≤2 cm, 34 node- T1a/b tumors were included in our analysis. All cases had an intermediate to high histological grade, and most had a Ki-67 score of ≥20%. All patients received adjuvant chemotherapy, and many underwent mastectomy (47%). Docetaxel combined with cyclophosphamide was the most common adjuvant chemotherapy regimen (75%). We did not observe significant associations between improved outcomes and treatment with anthracycline-containing regimens. Among patients with node- pT1a/b tumors, the estimated 3-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) and distant RFS rates were both 96.3% (95% CI: 76.5-99.5), and the overall survival rate was estimated to be 100% (95% CI: 100-100). There were no cases of local recurrences observed.
Conclusions:
In our cohort, all patients with T1a/b node- TNBCs were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy and had favorable outcomes even when treated with anthracycline-sparing regimens.
Insights
Early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients with node-negative T1a/b tumors showed excellent outcomes with adjuvant chemotherapy. Anthracycline-sparing regimens were effective, indicating favorable prognosis for these early TNBCs.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Breast Cancer Research
- Clinical Trial Analysis
Background:
- Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtypes, particularly early-stage node-negative T1a/b tumors, are underrepresented in clinical trials.
- Limited understanding exists regarding the clinicopathological features and natural history of these specific TNBCs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes of patients with T1a/b, node-negative, M0 TNBCs.
- To evaluate the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy regimens, including anthracycline-sparing options, in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 108 node-negative TNBC cases, with 34 T1a/b tumors included.
- Statistical analyses included Kruskal-Wallis, chi-squared, Fisher exact, Kaplan-Meier, log-rank, and Cox proportional hazards models.
- Data collected included patient and tumor characteristics, treatment regimens, and survival outcomes.
Main Results:
- All analyzed T1a/b node-negative TNBCs had intermediate-to-high histological grade and most had high Ki-67 scores.
- Adjuvant chemotherapy was administered to all patients; docetaxel-cyclophosphamide was the most common regimen.
- Excellent 3-year recurrence-free survival (96.3%) and overall survival (100%) were observed, with no local recurrences.
Conclusions:
- Patients with T1a/b node-negative TNBC treated with adjuvant chemotherapy demonstrated favorable outcomes.
- Anthracycline-sparing regimens were associated with good prognosis in this cohort.
- These findings highlight the importance of understanding treatment patterns and outcomes for early-stage TNBC.
