EGFR inhibition in metastatic triple negative breast cancer: a losing target

Abstract

Triple negative breast cancer is the most aggressive histologic subtype with an increased risk of disease recurrence and a high potential for distant metastases. Despite the drastic progress in the management of other metastatic breast cancer subtypes, the current available treatments for the metastatic triple negative breast cancer are not so promising. Cytotoxic agents remain among the only standard of care. However, certain pathways were or are being evaluated in this setting. One of the main mechanisms for cell proliferation is regulated by the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway, and thus it was successfully targeted in many tumors: non small cell lung cancer, colon cancer and head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. What is the rationale from inhibiting the epidermal growth factor receptor in metastatic triple negative breast cancer? What are the results of the previous trials and will there be any place for EGFR inhibitors to control this highly aggressive breast cancer subtype? In this short review of the literature, I will try to answer if there is an indication for EGFR inhibitors in the metastatic triple negative breast cancer.