Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a unique subgroup defined by a lack expression of ER (estrogen receptor), PR(progesterone receptor) and HER2 (human epidermal growth factor receptor 2), which has distinctly biological, clinical and pathological characteristics. This subgroup has close relationship with basal-like and BRCA1 (breast cancer susceptibility gene-1) breast cancers. Since endocrine and HER2-targered therapy can not be applied, chemotherapy is the major mean of therapy. Some studies show that TNBC is sensitive to taxol, platinum and anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Furthermore, targeted therapy to EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor), c-kit (stem cell factor receptor) and PARP (poly ADP-ribose polymerase) inhibitor may show better anticancer activity. We will review this subgroup of breast cancer as the following three aspects, biological characteristics, clinicopathology characteristics and therapy strategy.
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