University of Padua study identifies high-risk triple-negative breast cancer subgroup

An international research network coordinated by the University of Padua has identified a specific subgroup of patients with triple-negative breast cancer who face a higher risk of recurrence, even after achieving a pathological complete response. The findings, published in Nature Communications, stem from the GAMBIT project, which analyzed retrospective data from 2,457 patients across 18 European centers.

Triple-negative breast cancer accounts for approximately 10-15% of breast cancer cases. In early stages, therapy is often administered before surgery. A pathological complete response—where no invasive disease remains in the breast or lymph nodes after surgery—is typically associated with a favorable prognosis. However, this study highlights that certain patients previously considered cured still carry a clinically relevant residual risk of recurrence.

The GAMBIT network involves collaboration across multiple countries, including Italy, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Poland, Austria, and Japan, to pool clinical data and multidisciplinary expertise to better understand these rare cancer subgroups.