Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.20471/LO.2025.53.02-03.07
Experience in the neoadjuvant treatment of triple-negative breast cancer at the University Hospital for Tumors
Mihaela Trajbar
orcid.org/0000-0002-5389-332X
; Division of Medical Oncology, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
*
Petra Sertić
; Division of Medical Oncology, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Lea Ledinsky
orcid.org/0009-0006-8441-0032
; Division of Medical Oncology, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Tea Gaberc
orcid.org/0000-0001-5599-2148
; Division of Medical Oncology, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Petra Jakšić
; Division of Medical Oncology, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Ana Tečić-Vuger
; Division of Medical Oncology, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Ljubica Vazdar
; Division of Medical Oncology, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Robert Šeparović
; Division of Medical Oncology, University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer with aggressive biological behavior and limited therapeutic options compared with other subtypes. Outcomes have improved following the introduction of immunotherapy. This retrospective study analyzed 45 patients with early triple-negative breast cancer from Croatia. They were treated at the University Hospital for Tumors, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center. Patients received neoadjuvant therapy as per the KEYNOTE-522 study, which includes pembrolizumab with chemotherapy, followed by surgery. A pathological complete response (pCR) was achieved in 57.7% of patients. Complete radiomorphological regression on MRI was linked with a high pCR rate (94.1%). The phi correlation coefficient was 0.513, showing a moderate positive association between imaging and pathological response. A BRCA mutation rate of 22% supports routine genetic testing in TNBC patients. The results confirm the effectiveness of neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy in TNBC in clinical practice.
Keywords
triple negative breast neoplasms; pembrolizumab; neoadjuvant therapy; pathological complete response; magnetic resonance imaging; BRCA 1 protein and BRCA 2 protein; treatment outcome
Hrčak ID:
344592
URI
Publication date:
17.2.2026.
Visits: 417 *