Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2025

Studying Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Orthotopic Breast Cancer Model
Published on: March 20, 2020
Recent Advances in Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy of Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Harshada Shewale1, Abhishek Kanugo1,2
1Department of Pharmaceutics, SVKM NMIMS School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, Shirpur Maharashtra, 425405, India.
Abstract:
The truancy of representation of the estrogen, progesterone, and human epidermal growth factor receptors occurs during TNBC. TNBC is recognized for the upper reappearance and has a poorer diagnosis compared with rest breast cancer (BC) types. Presently, as such, no targeted therapy is approved for TNBC and treatment options are subjected to chemotherapy and surgery, which have high mortality rates. Hence, the current article focuses on the scenario of TNBC vital pathways and discusses the latest advances in TNBC treatment, including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), PARP suppressors, and cancer vaccines. Immunotherapy and ICIs, like PD 1 and PD L1 suppressors, displayed potential in clinical trials (CTs). These suppressors obstruct the mechanisms which allow tumor cells to evade the system thereby boosting the body's defense against TNBC. Immunotherapy, either alone or combined with chemotherapy has demonstrated patient outcomes such as increased survival rates and reduced treatment-related side effects. Additionally, targeted therapy approaches include BRCA/2 mutation poly ribose polymerase inhibitors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor (VEGFR) inhibitors, Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors, Fibroblast growth factor inhibitors, Androgen Receptor inhibitors, PIK3/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibitors, Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors, Notch signaling pathway inhibitors, Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway inhibitors, Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy, Transforming growth factor (TGF) -β inhibitors, Epigenetic modifications (EPM), Aurora Kinase inhibitors and antibody-drug conjugates. We also highlight ongoing clinical trials and potential future directions for TNBC therapy. Despite the challenges in treating TNBC, recent developments in understanding the molecular and immune characteristics of TNBC have opened up new opportunities for targeted therapies, which hold promise for improving outcomes in this aggressive disease.
Insights
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks targeted therapies, necessitating novel treatments. Recent advances include immunotherapies like immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and targeted therapies showing promise for improved patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks specific receptor targets (estrogen, progesterone, HER2).
- TNBC presents with higher recurrence rates and poorer prognosis compared to other breast cancer types.
- Current TNBC treatments (chemotherapy, surgery) are associated with high mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review vital pathways in TNBC.
- To discuss recent therapeutic advances for TNBC.
- To highlight ongoing clinical trials and future directions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of TNBC pathways and treatments.
- Analysis of clinical trial data for immunotherapies and targeted therapies.
- Discussion of novel therapeutic strategies including immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), PARP inhibitors, and cancer vaccines.
Main Results:
- Immunotherapy, including PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, shows potential in clinical trials, enhancing the immune response against TNBC.
- Combination therapies (immunotherapy with chemotherapy) improve survival and reduce side effects.
- Various targeted therapies are under investigation, including VEGFR, FGFR, and CDK inhibitors, as well as CAR-T cell therapy and antibody-drug conjugates.
Conclusions:
- Despite challenges, understanding TNBC's molecular and immune landscape offers new targeted therapy opportunities.
- Emerging treatments hold promise for improving outcomes in aggressive TNBC.
- Continued research and clinical trials are crucial for advancing TNBC treatment.
Related Concept Videos
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
Tumor Immunotherapy
Cancer Vaccines
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...

