Promising therapeutic options in triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a greater risk of recurrence despite more aggressive therapy even in low-risk category. TNBC is high grade, hormone receptor and HER-2 negative, it exhibits a high level of Ki-67 staining and expresses the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR). Because of its expression profile, treatment options are limited to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Molecular defects that give rise to BRCA1-associated breast cancer also occur in TNBC. Thus, the combination of poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase (PARP) inhibitors with drugs that cause DNA breakages, such as alkylating agents and topoisomerase I inhibitors, could theoretically potentiate the efficacy of each drug in patients with TNBC. Clinical trials with various targeted approaches alone or in combination with different chemotherapeutic agents are currently underway. In this review, current and future treatment approaches in TNBC with novel targeted agents are discussed.