Optimizing Post-Neoadjuvant Treatment in Early Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Neoadjuvant therapy has become the standard of care in early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), providing both prognostic information and a platform for treatment individualization. The achievement of a pathological complete response (pCR) is strongly associated with excellent long-term outcomes, whereas the presence of residual disease (RD) indicates a markedly increased risk of recurrence. This dual prognostic value has established post-neoadjuvant treatment as a critical arena for risk-adapted strategies. In patients achieving pCR, de-escalation of adjuvant therapy is under active investigation, with several randomized trials assessing whether surveillance may safely replace prolonged immunotherapy. Conversely, the management of patients with RD has become increasingly complex, as clinicians must navigate between established options such as capecitabine, olaparib, and pembrolizumab, while antibody-drug conjugates are likely to emerge as future therapeutic options in this high-risk setting. In parallel, locoregional approaches are evolving, with trials evaluating axillary de-escalation and even the omission of surgery in highly selected cases. Looking forward, the integration of biomarkers such as circulating tumor DNA and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes may help refine these strategies, paving the way toward truly personalized post-neoadjuvant care in TNBC.