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Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)

Normal breast cells and some breast cancer cells have receptors that attach to the hormones Estrogen & Progesterone and the cancer cells depend on these hormones to grow.  Breast cancer cells may have one, both or none of these receptors on their cell surface.  The breast cancer cells also have another protein called Human Epidermal growth factor type 2 Receptor (HER-2 protein) on the cell surface. 

The absence or presence of these receptors or proteins is detected using Immunohistochemistry analysis by the Histopathologist using a sample taken during your breast biopsy or after breast surgery. 

  • ER-Positive.  Breast cancers with Oestrogen Receptors are called ER-positive (ER+)
  • PR-Positive.  Breast cancers with Progesterone Receptors are called PR-positive (PR+)
  • Hormone receptor positive. If the cancer cells have one or both receptors, they may also be called Hormone receptor positive (HR+) 
  • Hormone receptor negative. If the cancer cells have neither of these receptors, they may also be called Hormone receptor negative (HR-)
  • HER-2 Positive. If breast cancer cells demonstrate excess HER-2 protein, they are called HER-2+
Click to watch Roche video on TNBC

Around 70% of breast cancers are ER-/PR-positive and rely on estrogen to grow, while about 20–25 percent of breast cancers are HER2-positive. Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (also known as TNBC) is so-named for the simple reason that the cancer cells DO NOT express any of these three receptors (namely ER, PR or HER-2).  Around 15% of all breast cancers are Triple Negative Breast Cancer and more commonly seen in breast cancers of younger women. 

Other risk factors for TNBC include;

Triple Negative Breast Cancer means that your cancer cells tested NEGATIVE for the oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and HER-2 protein. It also means that your cancer is UNLIKELY to respond to Hormonal Therapy, but you can still go through the usual treatment for Breast Cancer.  TNBC is usually more aggressive and has a higher risk of recurrence as well as distant cancer spread to other parts of the body.

Click to view Dr Tasha video on TNBC

Treatment Options for TNBC

TNBC is usually treated with a combination of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.  The treatment plan may be modified by your doctors to consider of the more aggressive nature of your cancer to include some of the following;

  • Neo-Adjuvant Chemotherapy.  Your breast surgeon and oncologist may decide to start the chemotherapy before your surgery and radiation
  • PARP Inhibitors. Poly ADP-Ribose Polymerase (PARP) inhibitors help to block aggressive cancer cells from being able to repair and survive.  These medications include Olaparib (Lynparza) and Talazoparib (Talzenna)
  • Immunotherapy. Immunotherapy drugs work by helping your immune system work smarter to attack cancer cells (especially if the cancer cells express PD-L1 protein). These medications include Pembrolizumab (Keytruda), Atezolizumab (Tecentriq) and Paclitaxel (Abraxane)

Discuss your Treatment Options with your Surgeon or Oncologist


Disclaimer. TELEME blog posts contains general information about health conditions and treatments. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The information is not advice and should not be treated as such. 

If you think you may be suffering from any medical condition, you should seek immediate medical attention from your doctor or other professional healthcare providers. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment because of information on this website.

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