Understanding Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Clinical Trials for Black Women

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive form of breast cancer that tests negative for the three molecular components of breast cancer cells: estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and human epidermal growth factor protein (HER2). TNBC is more common in women under 40, Black women, or women with a BCRA1 gene mutation. According to Michael S. Simon, M.D., MPH, medical director of the Cancer Genetic Counseling Program at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and clinical professor of Hematology and Oncology at Wayne State University School of Medicine, “Patients who have TNBC have more aggressive disease and are more likely to relapse if diagnosed at an early stage. There is also a worse prognosis if the patient is diagnosed at the advanced (stage 4) stage.” However, he says TNBC patients are more likely to respond to chemotherapy and combination chemotherapy and immunotherapy.   Here’s why clinical trials might be a beneficial option for those undergoing or seeking TNBC treatment. What are clinical trials?  According to the National Cancer Institute, clinical trials are medical studies that test how medical screening, treatment, and prevention methods work in people. Different cancer clinical trials may test drugs, vaccines, radiation, chemotherapy, and treatment combinations.  There are four...