Triple-negative breast cancer possibly transforming into malignant melanoma due to targeted therapy? A case report and review of literature

Wien Med Wochenschr. 2013 Nov;163(21-22):495-8. doi: 10.1007/s10354-013-0242-0. Epub 2013 Nov 13.

Abstract

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by lacking expression of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor as well as absence of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 overexpression and is an aggressive clinical phenotype.

Patients and methods: We report the case of a 33-year-old woman who has been treated using a targeted approach for TNBC and developed a malignant melanoma metastasis without any primary.

Results and conclusion: Using targeted therapies, tumors can be treated much more effectively, but up to now, we do not know much about potential adverse reactions. Due to the targeted therapy, tumors may be pressurized for transformation. We call for further investigations to rule out the potential risks of targeted therapy in TNBC. This is the first report of a potential transforming of one tumor entity to another by a targeted therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / genetics*
  • Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / pathology*
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / drug effects*
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics*
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / pathology
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / genetics
  • Disease Progression
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ki-67 Antigen / genetics
  • Melanoma / chemically induced*
  • Melanoma / genetics
  • Melanoma / pathology*
  • Melanoma / secondary
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / adverse effects*
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / methods*
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / genetics*
  • Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / pathology*
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / chemically induced*
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / genetics
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / pathology*
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / genetics
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / chemically induced*
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / genetics
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Spinal Cord Neoplasms / secondary
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics

Substances

  • Ki-67 Antigen
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • PTGS2 protein, human
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ERBB2 protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Receptor, ErbB-2