Immuno-oncological era of breast cancer: A progressive path to better treatment

Abstract

Breast cancer was initially thought to be less immunogenic; however, extensive studies in recent years have transcended into one having high mutagenic potential. The molecular classification of breast cancer has taken giant strides, as to having subtypes in triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) as proposed by Lehmann and group. This recent development has been studied extensively in the immunotherapy trials, the most recent one being the IMPASSION 130 trial which introduced the drug – Atezolizumab. In addition, tissue infiltrating lymphocytes have also been researched in the treatment of residual tumors in post-neoadjuvant scenarios. Vaccines, CART cell therapy, and antibodies are being developed in breast cancer just like the immunotherapeutic strategies in other cancers. This review is an attempt to present the ongoing developments in the field of immunotherapy in breast cancer with highlights in TNBC’s, metastatic breast cancer, and hereditary BRCA positive cancers in particular.