Prospective comparison of outcome after treatment for triple-negative and non-triple-negative breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC) are associated with a poor prognosis owing to an aggressive phenotype. We aimed to carry out a prospective study comparing management strategies and response to therapy in TNBC and non-TNBC patients.

METHODS: Data were obtained from a prospectively maintained database of patients treated for breast cancer.

RESULTS: A total of 142 TNBC and 142 age-, stage- and NPI-matched non-TNBC patients were treated. The difference in overall survival between the 2 groups was statistically significant (77% of TNBC patients alive at a mean follow-up of 32 months, versus 92% of non-TNBC patients at a mean follow-up of 38 months, P = 0.0 Log rank test). This survival difference was found to be independent of NPI (P = 0.0 Log rank test). Locoregional recurrence rates were similar between TNBC patients who were treated with wide local excision versus mastectomy (P = 0.449 Log rank test). A significant difference in survival was noted between TNBC patients who responded differentially to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P = 0.035 Log rank test).

CONCLUSION: Patients with TNBC have adverse outcomes despite aggressive treatment. The development of effective targeted therapies is essential for this breast cancer subtype.