Enhanced Outcomes in Advanced Triple-Negative Breast Cancer with Combination Therapy

A recent clinical study conducted by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has demonstrated that adding the targeted drug everolimus to the standard chemotherapy regimen with carboplatin can significantly delay disease progression in patients with advanced triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). TNBC is recognized as one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant forms of breast cancer, often leaving few effective options for patients.

The study, a randomized phase 2 clinical trial published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, involved patients who had already undergone up to three prior treatments. Participants were assigned to receive either carboplatin alone or a combination of carboplatin and everolimus. Results revealed that those receiving the combination therapy experienced a 52% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death compared to the group treated solely with carboplatin. Importantly, the combined treatment was well tolerated, with no unexpected safety issues emerging.

Senior author Dr. Amy Tiersten emphasized the significance of these findings, noting that "triple-negative breast cancer has limited treatment options and is often resistant to standard therapies. Our findings suggest that combining carboplatin with everolimus could offer a new therapeutic avenue, pending further validation in larger trials."

The underlying biology of TNBC often involves the loss of PTEN, a gene that helps regulate cell growth. Its absence leads to activation of the mTOR pathway, which promotes rapid tumor growth. Everolimus works by inhibiting this pathway, potentially slowing down or halting the cancer's progress.

Lead author Dr. Rima Patel highlighted the potential of this treatment approach, stating that "if confirmed in phase 3 trials, this combination could become an important option for patients with metastatic TNBC, offering hope beyond conventional chemotherapy."

While promising, further studies are necessary to establish the safety and efficacy of carboplatin plus everolimus for broad clinical use. These future trials will clarify its role and potentially expand treatment options for patients suffering from this challenging form of breast cancer.

Source: MedicalXpress