Approximately 15-20% of breast cancers have a triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) phenotype i.e. they lack expression of the estrogen receptor (ER) and the progesterone receptor (PR) and these cells do not over express Her2. This type of breast cancer correlates with very aggressive cancer, poor prognosis and aggressive relapses. TNBC occurs at a higher incidence in young African-American women. Currently available standard therapies targeting ER or Her2 are ineffective against this sub-type of breast cancer. Thus, new strategies are urgently needed for TNBC to reduce mortality and increase survival time. The focus of our current research is the identification and validation of novel kinase targets critical for tumor growth and metastasis for this type of breast cancer.
