Researchers are hoping to test a new type of treatment for triple-negative breast cancer in humans soon, according to Medical News Today.
About 2.3 million women globally have breast cancer. Between 10%–15% of all diagnosed cases are triple-negative breast cancer, which is the most aggressive form and the hardest to treat. Researchers from the University of Arizona have developed a drug specifically for treating triple-negative breast cancer with little to no toxic side effects.
An estimated 2.3 million women around the world received a diagnosis of breast cancer in 2020. That same year, about 685,000 women globally died from the disease.
Triple-negative breast cancer accounts for between 10% to 15%Trusted Source of diagnosed breast cancers. This specific type of breast cancer is known for being aggressive and harder to treat. Those with a triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis have a 5-year survival rate of about 62%Trusted Source.
Now, a team of researchers from the University of Arizona has developed a drug targeted specifically for triple-negative breast cancer. Developed using epidermal growth factor receptorTrusted Source (EGFR) technology, the drug reportedly causes little or no toxic side effects.
In this study, researchers tested the new drug in animal models and are now working towards approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to test the drug in phase 1 clinical trials in humans.
What is triple-negative breast cancer?
Triple-negative breast cancer tests negative for three receptors — proteins in or on cells that connect to specific materials in the blood — normally found in breast cancer. These are:
estrogenprogesteronehuman epidermal growth factor (HER2).
Studies show that Black women have a higher likelihood of developing triple-negative breast cancer compared to white women, as do women younger than 40Trusted Source compared to women aged between 50–64 years. Additionally, women who have a BRCA1 mutationTrusted Source are also at a higher risk for developing this type of breast cancer.
Because of those missing receptors, doctors have fewer options for treating triple-negative breast cancer. For example, hormone therapies are not effective. Current treatment options for this type of breast cancer include surgery with either partial or full removal of one or both breastschemotherapyradiation therapy.
