New England Journal Of Medicine Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a type of breast cancer that lacks estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors and HER2 receptors. It is a highly aggressive and difficult-to-treat form of breast cancer. It accounts for around 10-20% of all breast cancer cases and is more common in younger women, African American women and women with a BRCA1 gene mutation.
What is the New England Journal of Medicine?
The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) is a peer-reviewed medical journal that publishes original research articles, review articles, editorial opinions and other medical information. It is one of the most prestigious and influential medical journals in the world, with a high impact factor and a wide readership among physicians, researchers and healthcare professionals.
What is the significance of the NEJM study on TNBC?
The NEJM study on TNBC is a landmark study that has shed light on the underlying biology of TNBC and has opened up new avenues for targeted therapies. The study identified a subtype of TNBC that is driven by a specific gene called the androgen receptor (AR). This subtype of TNBC is associated with a better prognosis and may respond to hormonal therapies that target the AR.
What were the findings of the NEJM study on TNBC?
The NEJM study on TNBC analyzed the gene expression profiles of over 1000 breast cancer samples, including 107 TNBC samples. The study identified six distinct subtypes of TNBC, each with a unique gene expression signature and clinical outcome. The most common subtype was the basal-like subtype, which is highly aggressive and difficult to treat. However, the study also identified a subtype of TNBC that is driven by the androgen receptor (AR) and is associated with a better prognosis. This subtype of TNBC may respond to hormonal therapies that target the AR.
What are the implications of the NEJM study on TNBC?
The NEJM study on TNBC has important implications for the treatment of TNBC. The identification of the AR-driven subtype of TNBC opens up new avenues for targeted therapies that may improve the prognosis of TNBC patients. Hormonal therapies that target the AR, such as bicalutamide and enzalutamide, are already approved for the treatment of prostate cancer and may be repurposed for the treatment of AR-driven TNBC. The study also highlights the importance of personalized medicine and the need for more accurate diagnostic tools to identify the different subtypes of TNBC.
Conclusion
The NEJM study on TNBC is a groundbreaking study that has deepened our understanding of the underlying biology of TNBC and has opened up new avenues for targeted therapies. The identification of the AR-driven subtype of TNBC is a significant step forward in the treatment of TNBC and may improve the prognosis of TNBC patients. However, more research is needed to validate these findings and to develop more accurate diagnostic tools for the different subtypes of TNBC.