Descriptive analysis of estrogen receptor (ER)‐negative, progesterone receptor (PR)‐negative, and HER2‐negative invasive breast cancer, the so‐called triple‐negative phenotype

Abstract

BACKGROUND.Tumor markers are becoming increasingly important in breast cancer research because of their impact on prognosis, treatment, and survival, and because of their relation to breast cancer subtypes. The triple‐negative phenotype is important because of its relation to the basal‐like subtype of breast cancer.METHODS.Using the population‐based California Cancer Registry data, we identified women diagnosed with triple‐negative breast cancer between 1999 and 2003. We examined differences between triple‐negative breast cancers compared with other breast cancers in relation to age, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), stage at diagnosis, tumor grade, and relative survival.RESULTS.A total of 6370 women were identified as having triple‐negative breast cancer and were compared with the 44,704 women with other breast cancers. Women with triple‐negative breast cancers were significantly more likely to be under age 40 (odds ratio [OR], 1.53), and non‐Hispanic black (OR, 1.77) or Hispanic (OR, 1.23). Regardless of stage at diagnosis, women with triple‐negative breast cancers had poorer survival than those with other breast cancers, and non‐Hispanic black women with late‐stage triple‐negative cancer had the poorest survival, with a 5‐year relative survival of only 14%.CONCLUSIONS.Triple‐negative breast cancers affect younger, non‐Hispanic black and Hispanic women in areas of low SES. The tumors were diagnosed at later stage and were more aggressive, and these women had poorer survival regardless of stage. In addition, non‐Hispanic black women with late‐stage triple‐negative breast cancer had the poorest survival of any comparable group. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.

Fascin‐1 as a novel diagnostic marker of triple‐negative breast cancer

“…No significant difference was observed in age, tumor size, or lymph node metastasis. The distribution of TNBC in this study is consistent with previous research results 3.…”

“…TNBC accounts for approximately 10–20% of all cases of breast cancer, and is associated with a more aggressive course and a poorer prognosis than other breast cancer subtypes 2, 3. TNBC is different than other breast cancer subtypes with regard to treatment, because it is not amenable to hormone therapy or anti‐HER2‐targeting therapy, and systemic treatment options are limited to cytotoxic chemotherapy 3, 4, 5.…”

“…TNBC is different than other breast cancer subtypes with regard to treatment, because it is not amenable to hormone therapy or anti‐HER2‐targeting therapy, and systemic treatment options are limited to cytotoxic chemotherapy 3, 4, 5. Currently, the primary problem associated with diagnosis of TNBC is judgment of HER2 status.…”

“…Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC)—defined as absence of expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) as well as no overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)—accounts for approximately 10% to 20% of all cases of breast cancer 2. TNBC is associated with an aggressive course and poor survival, and unlike patients with ER/PR‐positive or HER2‐overexpressing breast cancer, TNBC is not amenable to hormone therapy or HER2‐targeting therapy, such as trastuzumab 3, 4, 5. Although immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis can be used to assess ER, PR, and HER2 status, some cases of breast cancers are HER2 2+ equivocal.…”

Periodic Mesoporous Organosilica Coated Prussian Blue for MR/PA Dual‐Modal Imaging‐Guided Photothermal‐Chemotherapy of Triple Negative Breast Cancer

“…Among them, triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) characterized by lacking expression of the estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor‐2 is extremely aggressive with a high risk of distant metastasis and early recurrence 2. Unlike other breast cancer subtypes, molecular targeted therapy is not suitable for TNBC and they normally receive systemic chemotherapy 3. However, many TNBC patient cases show poor response to the therapy and no alternative options are available for those who obtained an initial response or drug resistance 4, 5, 6, 7.…”