Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTNBC and Chemo ResearchTreatment for Unresponsive TNBCCAM TherapiesEmotional and Physical EffectsFinding TNBC SupportNext in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer GuideWhat Is Triple-Negative Breast Cancer?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
TNBC and Chemo Research
Treatment for Unresponsive TNBC
CAM Therapies
Emotional and Physical Effects
Finding TNBC Support
Next in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Guide
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is difficult to treat due to its aggressive nature. It often responds initially tochemotherapybut is the most common breast cancer to recur. When it recurs, triple-negative breast cancer portrays chemotherapy resistance, making it less responsive and more challenging to treat.
Between drugs like Trodelvy and Keytruda, there are treatment options available, and some alternative treatments may improve one’s quality of life while living with TNBC.
Alvaro Medina Jurado / Getty Images
TNBC PrevalenceIt is estimated that triple-negative breast cancer accounts for 15%–20% of all breast cancers. It tends to occur more often in young women, people with an inheritedBRCA1 gene mutation, and Black, non-Hispanic Black, and African American women.
TNBC Prevalence
It is estimated that triple-negative breast cancer accounts for 15%–20% of all breast cancers. It tends to occur more often in young women, people with an inheritedBRCA1 gene mutation, and Black, non-Hispanic Black, and African American women.
The Missing Link in TNBC and Chemo Research
Cytotoxic(cancer-cell-killing) chemotherapy has been the primary treatment therapy for triple-negative breast cancer.Doses are often high, given triple-negative breast cancer’s aggressive nature.
In the past decade, scientists have searched for alternative treatment options that require lower doses and minimize chemotherapy’s side effects.
Combination therapy (chemotherapy with a non-chemotherapy medication) is one potential option scientists are exploring.With this treatment, the chemotherapeutic medications will kill the cancer cells, while non-chemotherapy medicines, such as a drug-inhibited tumor-associated macrophage, will block the body’s immune response against the tumor; together, they will effectively destroy the cancer cells.
Research indicates the two-step approach may effectively treat highly aggressive triple-negative breast cancer tumors and prevent metastasis (cancer spread).
Some of the alternative options that still need further evaluation include the following:
Treatment Options for Unresponsive TNBC After Chemo
TNBC is an aggressive form of breast cancer with limited treatment options. Because triple-negative breast cancer does not respond to hormonal therapy or other medicines that target theHER2 gene, chemotherapy is the most frequent treatment option. Often, chemo drugs used include capecitabine, gemcitabine, eribulin, anthracyclines, and taxanes, which can be used in isolation or in various combinations.
However, given TNBC’s aggressiveness and resistance to treatment options, finding additional treatment options to target the cancer is critical to long-term treatment success. There are two relatively recent treatment options now available:
Because TNBC is relatively uncommon, many with it opt to participate in clinical trials for new treatments as they become available.
Recurrent
If triple-negative breast cancer has been successfully treated but comes back, it is considered recurrent. Treatment options forrecurrent TNBCinclude:
Is triple-negative breast cancer more likely to recur?Relapse rates can vary based on the initial staging of the triple-negative breast cancer and the initial response to treatments. Generally, triple-negative breast cancer has the highest recurrence rate at around 17%.
Is triple-negative breast cancer more likely to recur?
Relapse rates can vary based on the initial staging of the triple-negative breast cancer and the initial response to treatments. Generally, triple-negative breast cancer has the highest recurrence rate at around 17%.
Metastatic
Metastaticcancer has spread elsewhere from the initial breast cancer site.Treatment for triple-negative breast cancer is more complex when the cancer metastasizes. In addition to standard chemotherapy medications, treatment considerations for metastatic TNBC include:
What is the survival rate of triple-negative breast cancer?Survival rates are based on the type and stage of cancer. For triple-negative breast cancer staged as localized at the time of diagnosis, the five-year survival rate is 91%. In comparison, a triple-negative breast cancer staged as metastasized, distant from the location of the triple-negative breast cancer, has a 12% five-year survival rate. In total, triple-negative breast cancer has a 77% five-year survival rate.
What is the survival rate of triple-negative breast cancer?
Survival rates are based on the type and stage of cancer. For triple-negative breast cancer staged as localized at the time of diagnosis, the five-year survival rate is 91%. In comparison, a triple-negative breast cancer staged as metastasized, distant from the location of the triple-negative breast cancer, has a 12% five-year survival rate. In total, triple-negative breast cancer has a 77% five-year survival rate.
Discussing CAM therapies with your healthcare provider to ensure their inclusion won’t adversely affect your current treatment plan is essential. CAM therapies include:
Emotional and Physical Burden of Unresponsive TNBC
Triple-negative breast cancer treatment can cause a multitude of physical symptoms, including:
Cancer can also affect youremotional healthin various ways.Feelings might change from moment to moment and get intense at times. It is entirely normal to have a wide range of emotions, including:
Some suggestedways to copewith these emotions include the following:
Where to Find TNBC Support
There are several organizations dedicated tosupporting peoplediagnosed with breast cancer. The following organizations offer support, access to prevention and screening, recommendations to find appropriate healthcare professionals, and much more:
Summary
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for 15–20% of all breast cancers and is considered the most aggressive form of breast cancer.TNBC lacks certain receptors (estrogen, progesterone, and HER2), meaning treatment is usually limited to chemotherapy.
Although triple-negative breast cancer initially responds well to chemotherapy, it is more likely to recur and come back more resistant to treatment. Researchers continue to study new medication options, including combination therapy. Side effects from chemotherapy are often present, but complementary and alternative therapy options may help address symptoms.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Susan G. Komen.Triple negative breast cancer.Isakoff SJ.Triple-negative breast cancer: role of specific chemotherapy agents.Cancer J. 2010;16(1):53-61. doi:10.1097/PPO.0b013e3181d24ff7Singh S, Lee N, Diego A.Chemotherapy coupled to macrophage inhibition induces T-cell and B-cell infiltration and durable regression in triple-negative breast cancer.Cancer Res.2022; 82 (12): 2281–2297. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-21-3714American Breast Cancer Society.Treatment of Triple-negative Breast Cancer.BreastCancer.org.Triple negative breast cancer.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approved new therapy for triple negative breast cancer that has spread, not responded to other treatments.American Cancer Society.Treatment of triple-negative breast cancer.Shim HJ, Kim SH, Kang BJ, et al.Breast cancer recurrence according to molecular subtype.Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2014;15(14):5539-5544. doi:10.7314/apjcp.2014.15.14.5539American Cancer Society.Triple-negative breast cancer.National Cancer Institute.Complementary and alternative medicine.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Triple-negative breast cancer.National Cancer Institute.Emotions and cancer.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Susan G. Komen.Triple negative breast cancer.Isakoff SJ.Triple-negative breast cancer: role of specific chemotherapy agents.Cancer J. 2010;16(1):53-61. doi:10.1097/PPO.0b013e3181d24ff7Singh S, Lee N, Diego A.Chemotherapy coupled to macrophage inhibition induces T-cell and B-cell infiltration and durable regression in triple-negative breast cancer.Cancer Res.2022; 82 (12): 2281–2297. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-21-3714American Breast Cancer Society.Treatment of Triple-negative Breast Cancer.BreastCancer.org.Triple negative breast cancer.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.FDA approved new therapy for triple negative breast cancer that has spread, not responded to other treatments.American Cancer Society.Treatment of triple-negative breast cancer.Shim HJ, Kim SH, Kang BJ, et al.Breast cancer recurrence according to molecular subtype.Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2014;15(14):5539-5544. doi:10.7314/apjcp.2014.15.14.5539American Cancer Society.Triple-negative breast cancer.National Cancer Institute.Complementary and alternative medicine.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Triple-negative breast cancer.National Cancer Institute.Emotions and cancer.
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American Cancer Society.Triple-negative breast cancer.
National Cancer Institute.Complementary and alternative medicine.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Triple-negative breast cancer.
National Cancer Institute.Emotions and cancer.
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