Breast cancer is a highly diverse disease. Not all types behave in the same way or respond to the same treatments. One of the least common and yet most aggressive subtypes is triple-negative breast cancer.
In recent years, research has brought promising news for patients diagnosed with this type of tumour.
Triple-negative breast cancer is so named because it does not present any of the three receptors that are usually used to guide treatment:
- It does not have oestrogen receptors.
- It does not have progesterone receptors.
- It does not overexpress the HER2 protein.
This means that hormone therapies or HER2-targeted treatments, which are very effective in other types of breast cancer, are not useful in this case. For this reason, chemotherapy has been the main treatment option for years.
The major development in recent years has been the advent of immunotherapy. This treatment stimulates the body’s natural defences to recognise and attack tumour cells.
Recent clinical trials have shown that combining chemotherapy with immunotherapy can improve outcomes in patients with triple-negative breast cancer.
- In localised tumours (i.e. those that have not spread to other organs), this combination increases the chances of cure.
- In metastatic cases, where the cancer has already spread, immunotherapy does not cure the disease, but it helps to prolong life and maintain quality of life for longer.
Not all patients with triple-negative breast cancer need immunotherapy. Specialists mainly indicate it when:
- The tumour is larger than 1 or 2 centimetres.
- Or when the lymph nodes in the armpit are affected.
In these cases, treatment begins with a combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy before surgery. This strategy is known as neoadjuvant treatment.
Administering chemotherapy and immunotherapy before surgery helps to reduce the size of the tumour and allows physicians to assess how it responds to treatment. If the tumour disappears completely or shrinks significantly, the chances of cure are higher.
Furthermore, this approach helps physicians to better tailor subsequent treatment and offer more personalised options based on the response of each patient.
Although triple-negative breast cancer remains a challenge due to its aggressive nature, we now know that research is yielding real results. The incorporation of immunotherapy represents a very important step forward, and every year new trials emerge that seek to further improve outcomes.
If you have been diagnosed with this type of cancer, remember that you are not alone. Consult your oncologist about the options available and possible treatment combinations. Modern medicine offers more hope than ever before, and advances continue to be made.
At HC Marbella, we offer you a team specialising in breast cancer that analyses each case individually.
A second medical opinion can help you confirm your diagnosis, learn about the latest treatment options and make decisions with greater confidence.
Dra. Begoña Jiménez
Medical oncology, breast cancer specialist
November 4, 2025
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