Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Mutations Mapped in Black Women

A whole-exome and RNA study has generated the largest and most detailed mutational profile of tumors in African American women with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The team also found the disease in this population was largely similar to that of Asian American and non-Hispanic white women. In addition, they found that mutations in the TP53 gene were present in almost all African American TNBC patients, which means it is much more prevalent than previously realized.

The work was led by researchers at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and collaborating institutions, including Keck School of Medicine of USC, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, and Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston University.

Song Yao, MD, PhD, professor of oncology