Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive disease that lacks estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors, making standard targeted therapies ineffective. For years, chemotherapy was the primary treatment. Recently, combination approaches have improved outcomes by attacking tumors from multiple angles.
One key strategy combines immunotherapy with chemotherapy. TNBC tumors often express PD-L1, helping them evade immune detection. Drugs like pembrolizumab block this pathway, reactivating T cells. Clinical trials such as KEYNOTE-355 and KEYNOTE-522 show better survival. Antibody-drug conjugates like sacituzumab govitecan deliver chemotherapy directly to cancer cells and enhance immune effects when combined with immunotherapy.
Targeted options also include PARP inhibitors for BRCA-mutated TNBC and platinum chemotherapy. Looking ahead, biomarker-driven and adaptive treatments will help tailor therapy, making TNBC care more personalized and effective.