August 2024 SOCRA Source Journal - Journal - Page 43
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Triple Negative
Breast Cancer and STAT
Proteins Family
Emily B Smith. PhD
Engineer/Scientist I, QC
Specialty Diagnostics Group
ThermoFisher Scienti昀椀c, Lenexa, KS
Ryan T. Richmond
ThermoFisher Scienti昀椀c, Lenexa, KS
Ryan T. Richmond
Abstract: Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is increasingly recognized as a serious, worldwide public health
concern. TNBC can recur after treatment and appears to be greatest in the 昀椀rst few years. The phenotypical
changes of the TNBC metastasis represent a unique heterogeneous tumour cell population with special biological
features which permit travel to distant sites and the establishment of a clinically disseminated disease. Triplenegative tumours do not express the oestrogen-ERα receptor, progesterone PgR receptor and the epidermal growth
factor receptor (Her2). However, the three biomarkers are used clinically to guide treatment. The main aim of this
research is to elucidate recently identi昀椀ed molecular pathways that contribute to TNBC metastasis. It also provides
a useful approach to understand the heterogeneity of TNBC at its different stages. Several protein candidates show
differential expression between metastatic and non-metastatic tumours.
1. Triple Negative Breast
Cancer and STAT Family
Triple negative breast cancer
(TNBC) is increasingly de昀椀ned
as a serious, worldwide public
health concern and more than
170,000 patients are diagnosed
with TNBC each year (IsmailKhan and Bui 2010). The risk
appears to be greatest in the
昀椀rst few years after treatment
since breast cancer is a dynamic
disease that evolves with time
and as a function of therapy.
Moreover, the phenotypical
changes of the metastatic
TNBC may represent a unique
heterogeneous tumour cell
population with special
biological features that permit
travel to distant sites and the
establishment of a clinically
disseminated disease. Triplenegative tumours do not express
the nuclear hormone receptors
such as (ERα), (PgR), nor the
epidermal growth factor receptor
HER2, however, in breast cancer,
the three clinical bio-markers
are used to guide treatment
(Luo et al. 2010). Furthermore,
10% - 20% of breast cancer
test negative for these three
receptors, which means
hormones are not supporting
tumour growth.
Hormone-based therapy
(Tamoxifen) to target ER– a
positive cells, antibody-based
therapy (trastuzmab) to target
HER2 / Neu positive breast
cancer are not effective when
treating (TNBC), Additionally,
TNBC is unlikely to respond to
medications that target HER2
such as Herceptin (Liedtke and
Rody 2015). There are limited
therapeutic options for treating
(TNBC) when compared to
receptor positive cases. Women
with TNBC have a higher risk
of death within 昀椀ve years of
diagnosis, but not after this period.
African American women are
particularly at risk for developing
TNBC and dying. They are three
times more likely to die than other
ethnic groups around the world
(Dent et al. 2007).
Molecular researchers have
reported that the origin of ER–
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