Clinical Outcomes and Prognostic Factors in Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Real-World Data Analysis

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Medical Research
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• Metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) presents significant challenges with poor patient outcomes.
• Current therapeutic strategies for mTNBC require further investigation and optimization.
• Understanding treatment feasibility at the time of metastatic diagnosis is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze real-world data on Japanese women with mTNBC.
• To clarify clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and survival outcomes.
• To focus on the feasibility of treatment at the point of metastatic diagnosis.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 96 Japanese women with distant metastasis post-curative surgery.
• Comparison of a non-treated group (unable to receive treatment due to poor condition) with a treated group (received ≥4 weeks of systemic therapy).
• Overall survival assessed using the Cox proportional hazard model.

Main Results:

• 31% of patients could not receive systemic treatment due to poor condition.
• The non-treated group showed higher prevalence of symptom onset diagnosis, poor performance status, and brain metastasis.
• Among treated patients (n=66), median overall survival was 14 months with an average of 2.2 treatment lines; paclitaxel plus bevacizumab was associated with survival.

Conclusions:

• A significant proportion of mTNBC patients are diagnosed after symptom onset, limiting treatment options.
• Early mTNBC diagnosis before symptom deterioration could improve treatment opportunities.
• Further research is needed on follow-up strategies, biomarkers, and optimal treatment positioning, including paclitaxel plus bevacizumab and oral maintenance therapy.