Evaluation of Radiotherapy in Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Analysis of the BEATRICE trial

Evaluation of Radiotherapy in Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Analysis of the BEATRICE trial

Radiotherapy has consistently shown to decrease the incidence of locoregional recurrence and frequently leads to increased survival in breast cancer. Locoregional recurrence is defined by the recurrence of cancer cells at the same site as the original tumour or at the regional lymph nodes after a disease free period. The greatest benefit has continuously been shown in larger tumors of favorable molecular subtypes and with increased nodal involvement. Favorable molecular subtypes are described as those with estrogen/progesterone receptor positivity that can be targeted by hormonal deprivation or receptor blocker therapy. HER2 positivity is the third receptor analyzed for which target monoclonal antibody therapy, trastuzumab, can be given. Administration of radiotherapy for triple negative breast cancer patients has been shown to improve outcomes of patients but in a few small-scale trials.Triple negative breast cancer is defined on molecular analysis of breast cancer cells showing absence or minimal expression of estrogen, progesterone, and Her-2 receptors for which targeted therapy is currently available. Radiation therapy remains to have well-known and numerous toxicities. It is crucial for radiation oncologists to balance the benefits and harms of radiation therapy. Further larger studies are still needed to analyze the effects of radiation therapy in patients with triple negative breast cancer. With the analysis of such a large database of TNBC patients, we are aiming at providing higher quality evidence (of higher power) for the effects of radiation therapy on this particular molecular subtype of breast cancer and provide a more definitive answer to whether radiation therapy is advised. That is until large scale RCTs are published on this patient population. This will lead to improved treatment for triple negative breast cancer patients.

[{ "PostingID": 14473, "Title": "ROCHE-BO20289 (Beatrice)", "Description": "An International Multi-centre Open-label 2-arm Phase III Trial of Adjuvant Bevacizumab in \"Triple Negative\" Breast Cancer." }]