Q&A Event: Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Triple negative breast cancer accounts for approximately 15% of all breast cancers. As the name suggests, triple negative breast cancer does not have any of the three receptors that are commonly found on breast cancer cells – oestrogen, progesterone and HER2 receptors.

Anyone can be diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer but it occurs more often in younger patients who are pre-menopausal or under 50 years of age. People with a BRCA1 gene mutation also have a higher risk of this type of breast cancer.

Triple negative breast cancer is a more aggressive type of tumour, with a faster growth rate, a higher risk of spreading to other parts of the body (metastasis) and of recurrence either in the breast or elsewhere. Because it does not have any of the more common receptors that can be targeted by medications, such as hormone and HER2-blocking drugs, it has fewer treatment options available.

Standard treatment of early stage triple negative breast cancer typically includes chemotherapy, surgery and in many cases a course of radiotherapy. Often chemotherapy treatment is given prior to breast surgery (neoadjuvant chemotherapy), as it can effectively reduce the size of the breast cancer while providing useful information about the effectiveness of the treatment being given.

Breast Cancer Trials has been researching new and better treatments for triple negative breast cancer.

The CHARIOT clinical trial examined the addition of dual immunotherapy to standard chemotherapy and showed promising results in patients with treatment resistant, early-stage triple negative breast cancer.
The Neo-N clinical trial is investigating whether using an immunotherapy drug together with chemotherapy, is safe and effective in treating breast cancer before surgery. Results of this study are expected later this year.