Immunotherapy for early triple negative breast cancer: research agenda for the next decade

For decades, the systemic treatment of localized triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) has exclusively relied on chemotherapy. Recent advancements, however, are rapidly reshaping the treatment algorithms for this disease. The addition of pembrolizumab to neoadjuvant chemotherapy has indeed shown to s...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:NPJ breast cancer 2022-02, Vol.8 (1), p.23-7, Article 23
Main Authors: Tarantino, Paolo, Corti, Chiara, Schmid, Peter, Cortes, Javier, Mittendorf, Elizabeth A., Rugo, Hope, Tolaney, Sara M., Bianchini, Giampaolo, Andrè, Fabrice, Curigliano, Giuseppe
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
692/308/153
692/4028/67/1347
692/4028/67/580/1884/2323
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biomedicine
Breast cancer
Cancer Research
Cell Biology
Chemotherapy
Human Genetics
Immunotherapy
Oncology
Perspective
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Summary:For decades, the systemic treatment of localized triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) has exclusively relied on chemotherapy. Recent advancements, however, are rapidly reshaping the treatment algorithms for this disease. The addition of pembrolizumab to neoadjuvant chemotherapy has indeed shown to significantly improve event-free survival for stage II–III TNBC, leading to its establishment as new standard of care in this setting. This landmark advancement has however raised several important scientific questions. Indeed, we desperately need strategies to identify upfront patients deriving benefit from the addition of immunotherapy. Moreover, the best integration of pembrolizumab with further recent advancements (capecitabine, olaparib) is yet to be defined. Lastly, extensive efforts are needed to minimize the impact on patients of immune-related adverse events and financial toxicity. The next decade of clinical research will be key to overcome these challenges, and ultimately learn how to optimally integrate immunotherapy in the treatment landscape of TNBC.
ISSN:2374-4677
2374-4677
DOI:10.1038/s41523-022-00386-1