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Subgroups within triple-negative breast cancers?

Page last modified on: July 1, 2009

Question from PhoebeJ: Do we have further knowledge about subgroups within the triple-negative breast cancers?: Answer —Nicholas Robert, M.D.: In terms of triple-negative breast cancer -- that is, defined by patients who are ER-negative, progesterone-receptor-negative, and HER2-negative -- this is not a uniform group. There are some patients who have a basal cell type. There are some patients who have a mutation in BRCA1, and in the future as we begin to do genomic studies on a more regular basis where research will support what is important to do, we will find that the triple-negative group, just like breast cancer, is composed of multiple subsets. The hope many of us have as we develop a better understanding of the different subsets of breast cancer is that we will be able to match systemic treatments that are more specific to each subset.

On Wednesday, June 24, 2009, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Updates from the ASCO Annual Meeting. Nick Robert, M.D. and Beth Baughman Dupree, M.D., F.A.C.S. answered your questions about the newest findings on risk, screening, treatment, and more.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Nicholas Robert, M.D. is a co-chair of the Breast Committee of the U.S. Oncology Research Network and also chairs the Cancer Committee and Research Committee of the Inova Fairfax Hospital's Cancer Center.

Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S. the medical director of the Breast Health Program at Holy Redeemer Health System in Meadowbrook, PA.

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