Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC): Non-genetic tumor heterogeneity and immune microenvironment: Emerging treatment options

Pharmacol Ther. 2022 Sep:237:108253. doi: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108253. Epub 2022 Jul 21.

Abstract

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype characterized by extensive intra-tumoral heterogeneity, and frequently develops resistance to therapies. Tumor heterogeneity and lack of biomarkers are thought to be some of the most difficult challenges driving therapeutic resistance and relapse. This review will summarize current therapy for TNBC, studies in treatment resistance and relapse, including data from recent single cell sequencing. We will discuss changes in both the transcriptome and epigenome of TNBC, and we will review mechanisms regulating the immune microenvironment. Lastly, we will provide new perspective in patient stratification, and treatment options targeting transcriptome dysregulation and the immune microenvironment of TNBC patients.

Keywords: Epigenetic; Immune; Immune checkpoint blockade; TNBC; Therapy-resistance; Transcriptome; Tumor microenvironment.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / genetics
  • Transcriptome
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Tumor Microenvironment / genetics

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor