Breast Cancer: Targets and Therapy (Feb 2021)
An Update on the Molecular Pathology of Metaplastic Breast Cancer
Abstract
Amy E McCart Reed,1 Emarene M Kalaw,1 Sunil R Lakhani1,2 1UQ Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; 2Pathology Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, AustraliaCorrespondence: Sunil R Lakhani Email [email protected]: Metaplastic breast cancer (MpBC) is a fascinating morphologic sub-type of breast cancer, characterised by intra-tumoural heterogeneity. By definition, these tumors show regions of metaplasia that can present as spindle, squamous, chondroid or even osseous differentiation. MpBC are typically triple-negative, and are therefore not targetable with hormone therapy or anti-HER2 therapies, leaving only chemotherapeutics for management. MpBC are known for their aggressive course and poor response to chemotherapy. We review herein the pathology and molecular landscape of MpBC and discuss opportunities for targetted therapies as well as immunotherapies.Keywords: metaplastic, triple-negative breast cancer, precision oncology
