ES1-3: Treatment of Metastatic Breast Cancer – Breast Cancer as a Chronic Disease: Triple Negative Breast Cancer.

Abstract

Abstract Carcinomas of the breast that do not express the estrogen or progesterone receptors (ER/PR) and are not associated with over-expression or amplification of HER2/neu have been designated triple negative breast cancer. These tumors represent approximately 15–20% of all breast cancers, but are more prevalent in younger women, in African Americans, and in BRCA1 mutation carriers. Molecular profiling data suggest that many of triple negative tumors, but not all, are basal-like. The basal-like tumors are more likely to be resistant to standard therapies resulting in disease recurrence and poor prognosis. It is likely that triple negative breast cancer will be further sub classified to several additional distinct subtypes. Regardless of additional sub classification of the entity, the only treatment currently available for women with triple negative breast cancer is chemotherapy-based. In this symposium, I will review current molecular classification, prognosis and predictive markers, treatment options, emerging approaches, and clinical trials. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr ES1-3.