Development and validation of TNBC-DX genomic test in early-stage triple-negative breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant taxane-based chemotherapy

Identification of biomarkers to optimize treatment strategies for early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is important. The TNBC-DX test was created incorporating 10-gene core immune gene module, 4-gene tumor cell proliferation signature, tumor size, and nodal staging. Combined analysis of prospective studies of patients receiving neoadjuvant taxane-based chemotherapy for stage I-III TNBC found that the TNBC-DX pCR score was significantly associated with pathologic complete response. Additonally, the TNBC-DX risk score was significantly associated with distant disease-free survival and overall survival. In a validation cohort with use of pembrolizumab, the TNBC-DX scores were significantly associated with pCR, DDFS, and OS. The authors conclude that TNBC-DX can predict short-term and long-term outcomes of neoadjuvant taxane-based chemotherapy, independent of pembrolizumab use.