Triple negative breast cancer is a very rare condition where the cancer cells have not spread or grown inside the breast due to estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). This type of cancer is mostly found in women with BRCA1 mutations or other younger women. Also, if the woman is taking regular doses of oral contraceptives, then her chances of developing triple negative breast cancer increase. Triple negative breast cancer is an aggressive subtype form of breast cancer and hence the treatment for triple negative breast cancer is also aggressive.

This type of cancer cannot be treated using any of the targeted or hormonal methods of treatment for breast cancer. But some other standard treatment methods like radiation therapy, surgery and chemotherapy can be used in combination to kill this type of cancer cells. Chemotherapy has proven to be effective for the treatment of triple negative breast cancer, and hence is the first choice of treatment opted by most of the doctors. Here we discuss some of these methods of treatment for triple negative breast cancer.

Chemotherapy for Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Some chemotherapy combinations have proven to shrink these cancer cells, hence this is mostly opted for the treatment for cancer of this type. AC {doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide} or EC {Epirubicin and cyclophosphamide} are the mostly given regimens to such patients. Studies also show that a combination of fluorouracil, docetaxel and paclitaxel, added to the cycle of AC can reduce the risk of the recurrence of cancer cells in the body of the patient. Although there are many side effects of chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer, most of them disappear once the treatment is over.

PARP Inhibitors for Triple Negative Breast Cancer

PARP or poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors are group of enzymes which help the cells to repair their damaged DNA. These inhibitors do not allow the cancer cells to reconstruct themselves, leading to their death. BSI 201, the GPNMB targeted CDX-011.and NK012 are the mostly used PARP inhibitors by the cancer specialists for the treatment of triple negative breast cancer.

Under the Hood

Some other monoclonal antibodies like Sutent and Erbitux are still under research. Scientists also claim that treatment for triple negative breast cancer is also possible using Avastin or drugs with platinum, but it is still under the hood, and yet to be acclaimed as a proper method for the treatment.

Triple negative breast cancer can be treated using a combination of radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery. Though this type of cancer can be treated using different chemotherapy combinations, there are chances that the cancer cells grow or spread to other tissues. Also, the chances of relapse of cancer cells have been observed in some patients.