TRIPLE NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER

Breast cancers are classified by whether or not they express the genes for estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors and HER2/neu. These three receptors are known to fuel the cancer’s growth, and the most successful breast cancer treatments are hormone-based drugs such as Tamoxifen, Arimidex, Fermara, Faslodex or Armatase that directly target these receptors. Receptors are proteins found on the surface of many breast cells and enable the cells to receive signals to grow.

"Triple-Negative" breast cancer cells do not express any of these receptors. This means they are generally unresponsive to such standard receptor-mediated treatments. However, other forms of chemotherapy can still generate positive outcomes as well as surgery and radiation.

Although Triple-Negative breast cancer can be treated with chemotherapy, early relapse and metastasis (spread to other tissues) is more common than other types of breast cancer.  A 2007 study of more than 50,000 women with all stages of breast cancer found that 77% of women with Triple Negative survived for 5 years compared to 93% of women with other types of breast cancer.

Triple-Negative breast cancer account for approximately 15% of all breast cancer cases. Younger women fall into the high risk group for this subtype of breast cancer compared to women over age 60 for the other types of breast cancer. Additionally, it is found to disproportionally affect African American and Hispanic women, with African Americans facing a worse prognosis than other ethnic groups. People with the inherited BRCA-1 mutation also have a high risk of Triple-Negative breast cancer.

Today, more research dollars are targeted to this disease and clinical trials involving PARP inhibitors (which keep the cancer cells from repairing their own DNA); EGFR ( Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors), to stop growth signals and Avastin, which targets the VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) to block the interaction for growth are all being tested with positive results.

Remember, Triple-Negative breast cancer is a treatable disease and early detection is the key. Breast Cancer symptoms vary widely from lumps to swelling to skin changes and may have no obvious symptoms at all. That is why annual mammograms and physical exams by a doctor as well as self-exams are imperative. Treatments and recommendations may vary so it may be helpful to get a couple of opinions if you are diagnosed with this disease.