Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer is defined as a metastatic tumor in which the estrogen and progesterone (ER/PR) receptors are negative (as determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC)) and there is no overexpression of HER2 (as determined by IHC) or gene amplification (as determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization technique). Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (ER-PR-HER2-) and other breast cancers have different epidemiological risk factor profiles.

Triple-Negative Breast Cancers are typically characterized as hyper-dense tumors with no calcifications. Triple-Negative Breast Cancers are defined histologically as high-grade, invasive, ductal carcinomas of no particular type with basal-like characteristics. Histologic features include central necrosis, pushing tumor boundaries, a visible lymphocytic infiltration, and fibrosis.

Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Sign and Symptoms

Patients with triple-negative breast cancer may experience a wide range of symptoms. The most typical symptom, as with all types of breast cancer, is a lump or thickening in the breast tissue, although there are situations when there are no symptoms at all.

While triple-negative breast cancer appears to be similar to other types of breast cancer, it has a few key differences. First, estrogen, progesterone, and HER-2/neu hormone receptors are all negative in triple-negative breast cancer. As a result, hormone therapy, a common treatment for breast cancer, is made ineffective. Second, the cells in triple-negative breast cancer tumors are similar to the basal cells that surround the breast ducts. Finally, triple-negative malignancies are frequently more aggressive than other cancers, with a higher proclivity for spreading and recurrence after treatment.

Triple-negative breast cancer symptoms are often comparable to those of other types of breast cancer. The following are some common signs:

Breast lumps or masses that are felt on or within the breast

Changes in the appearance of the breast skin, such as redness, swelling, or pitting

A change in one or both breasts' size or form

Asymmetry of the breasts

Flaking or peeling nipple skin, or changes in the appearance of one or both nipples

The discharge of nipples (other than breast milk)

Breast pain, warmth, irritation, itching, or hardness are all symptoms of breast cancer.

Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Epidemiology

Because there are fewer specific therapies to treat triple-negative breast cancer, Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer is regarded to be more aggressive and has a worse prognosis than other kinds of breast cancer. According to a study published in the British Journal of Cancer in 2018, if a Triple-Negative Breast Cancer patient lived for 5 years after treatment, cancer had a low chance of recurrence in the next 10 years.

In 2017, the total number of diagnosed Triple Negative Breast Cancer cases in the 7MM countries was 99,380. Only advanced Triple-Negative Breast Cancer cases (which are further classified based on a line of therapy) are believed to undergo pharmacological treatment out of the total occurrence instances of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, thereby accounting for the Triple-Negative Breast Cancer treatment pool in various nations. In 2017, Germany had the highest diagnosed incidence of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer among the EU-5 countries (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Italy), with 12,516 cases, followed by France and Italy.

DelveInsight has also estimated the ER-, PR-, and HER2- specific cases of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. There were 4,793 cases of HER2-Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in the United States, followed by PR- and ER- subtypes.

Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Treatment

The few therapeutic alternatives for Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer now include systemic chemotherapies, adjuvant chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. Merck Sharpe and Dohme's Keytruda (pembrolizumab), AstraZeneca's Lynparza (olaparib), Hoffmann-La Roche's Tecentriq (atezolizumab), Pfizer's Talzenna (talazoparib), Gilead Sciences' Trodelvy, and others are among the few FDA-approved medications in the United States.

Off-label drugs used to treat metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer include Paclitaxel (Abraxane), Erbulin (Halaven), Carboplatin, Cisplatin, Docetaxel, and others.

Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Market 

In 2017, Triple-Negative Breast Cancer had a market share of USD 438 million in the 7MM. Out of the total 7MM market, Japan had a USD 42.3 million market size in 2017, which is predicted to expand at a substantial CAGR over the forecast period.

During the study period, new therapies such as Hoffmann-La Roche, Imprime PGG; HiberCell, Infinity Pharmaceuticals, CytoDyn, and Treadwell Therapeutics have the potential to significantly increase the the metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer market size. The US FDA has also given Cytodyn a fast track designation, indicating that the metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer market will increase rapidly throughout the forecast period.