The functional role of Notch signaling in triple-negative breast cancer.

The term "triple-negative breast cancer" (TNBC) is a heterogeneous subtype of breast cancer. Unfortunately, due to the lack of expression of hormone receptors and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2, therefore the lack of US Food and Drug Administration-approved targeted therapies, TNBC has the worst prognosis of all subtypes of breast cancer. Notch signaling has emerged as a pro-oncogene in several human malignancies and has particularly been associated with the triple-negative subtype of breast cancer. This chapter explores the role of Notch signaling in triple negative and other subtypes of breast cancer, the relationship of Notch with other breast cancer biomarkers, prognostic indicators associated with Notch, and potential therapeutic strategies targeting Notch inhibition. Hopefully, better understanding of this signaling pathway in the future will lead to optimal molecular therapeutic treatments for TNBC patients, improving their quality of life and outcome.
(Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)