Triple Negative Breast Cancer
BiPar Sciences initiated a Phase 3 clinical study of iniparib, the United States Adopted Name (USAN) for the investigational PARP1 inhibitor, BSI-201, in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer in July 2009. The study has now completed enrollment. For more information about clinical studies and an expanded access protocol for iniparib in triple-negative breast cancer, please see our clinical trials page.Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a distinct breast cancer subtype that comprises up to 20% of all breast malignancies. More aggressive than other breast cancer subtypes, TNBC has high rates of metastases and low rates of survival, yet lacks effective therapeutic options.
Most current breast cancer therapies, such as tamoxifen and Herceptin (trastuzumab), target one of three receptors (ER, PR, and HER2) that are absent or deficient in TNBC. Chemotherapy has been the mainstay of treatment for women with this disease, but current therapeutic options remain suboptimal. Despite best available therapy, TNBC continues to be associated with poorer outcomes than other breast cancer subtypes. Disparities in outcome are even more pronounced among young and African-American women, who are disproportionately affected by the disease.
Because of the lack of effective therapies, TNBC represents an aggressive and devastating disease that is in urgent need for an equally aggressive targeted therapeutic strategy.
Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the world today and the most common cause of cancer-related deaths among women. It is estimated that 182,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed in women in the U.S. during 2008. TNBC represents up to 20 percent of all breast cancer cases.
For more information about breast cancer and the triple negative subtype, visit
National Institutes of Health
National Cancer Insitute
American Society of Clinical Oncology
American Cancer Society