Novel therapeutic avenues in triple-negative breast cancer: PI3K/AKT inhibition, androgen receptor blockade, and beyond.

Multiomic analyses have shed light upon the molecular heterogeneity and complexity of triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs). With increasing recognition that TNBC is not a single disease entity but encompasses different disease subtypes, a one-size-fits-all treatment paradigm has become obsolete. In this context, the inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathways have emerged as potential therapeutic strategies against selected tumors. In this paper, we reviewed the preclinical rationale, predictive biomarkers, efficacy, and safety data from early phase trials, and the future directions for these two biomarker-directed treatment approaches in TNBC.
Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest statement: Jack J Chan: Honoraria; Merck Sharp & Dohme, Eisai, AstraZeneca, Novartis; Consulting or Advisory Role, Pfizer; Research Funding, OncoQuest; Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, AstraZeneca, Celgene. Tira JY Tan: Consulting or Advisory Role; Roche, Novartis, Eli Lily; Research Funding; AstraZeneca; Travel, Accommodations, Expenses, Eisai. Rebecca A Dent: Honoraria; AstraZeneca, Lilly, Pfizer, Roche/Genentech; Consulting or Advisory Role; AstraZeneca, Eisai, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche; Travel, Accommodations, Expenses; Amgen, Merck, Pfizer, Roche.
(© The Author(s), 2019.)