Fatoumata Diallo
Writing for the Sciences
Professor Zayas
Research Paper rough draft
April 28, 2025
Intro: Breast cancer is a form of cancer that occurs in women and can very rarely occur in men It is seen when either tumor suppressor or oncogenes mutate. Inflammatory Breast Cancer is a rare and extremely aggressive form of breast cancer. It only accounts for 1% to 6% (Chippa & Barazi, 2023) of all Breast Cancer. It is called “inflammatory” because some of the symptoms cause the breast to look inflamed due to cancer cells blocking lymph vessels in the skin. IBC typically does not have the same symptoms as other forms of breast cancer and does not always show up on mammograms making it harder to diagnose.
Thesis: There are many forms of Inflammatory breast cancer treatments, however the most effective treatments are the Tri modality treatment; neoadjuvant Chemotherapy, modified radical mastectomy and Intensity-modulated proton therapy, as well as specific targeted therapies like trastuzumab and Pratuzumab.
Descritption: inflammatory Breast Cancer is an aggressive and rapidly spreading form of breast cancer; it accounts for 2-4% of all breast cancers and is responsible for 7% of all breast cancer-related deaths (Chippa, Barazi, 2023). There are two subcategories of Inflammatory breast cancer: Primary IBC and Secondary IBC. In Primary IBC cancer develops in a healthy breast while in secondary the cancer recurs or shows up where a previous breast cancer occurred (Robertson et al., 2010). Most IBCs are hormone receptor-negative meaning they have shorter disease-free survival; IBC also has excessive amounts of HER2 proteins which lead to rapid growth of the tumor. The p53 tumor suppressor gene (TSG) plays a huge role in IBC, Mutation, or the increase of the p53 TSG happens in “20-50%” of all breast cancers including IBC. It is often associated with larger tumors and a higher chance of death, this becomes worse when p53 tag is combined with negative estrogen receptors this only increases the risk of death (Chippa & Barazi, 2023)
Treatment: Typical Treatment for IBC consists of a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. Chemotherapy is an important type of systemic treatment because it shrinks the tumor before surgery. Studies have shown that Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has resulted in higher PCR (pathologic complete response) rates in er negative IBC (Chainitikun et al., 2021).
Tri modality : chemo surgery, radiation
Chemotherapy is an important systemic treatment because it shrinks the tumor before surgery. Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy can lead to PCR (pathological complete response) which in return increases survival rates. Anthracycline- and taxane-based chemotherapy is the standard treatment for IBC
Surgery: 3 different types of surgery Modified radical mastectomy, Breast Conserving Surgery, Contralateral prophylactic mastectomy
Radiation is a common treatment for IBC; it typically happens after chemotherapy and surgery. Radiation is very harsh and often extremely aggressive due to high dosages and is usually very toxic for IBC patients. A study was conducted to Test Intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT), a form of radiotherapy meant to target and shrink the tumor while minimizing exposure to other organs
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Targeted Therapies
targeted therapies are a form of Inflammatory breast cancer treatment they have taken with chemotherapy. However, there has been limited data on targeted therapy for IBC. There are many types of targeted therapies, and they are administered by the type of Inflammatory breast cancer. Trastuzumab, a standard anti-her2+ therapy is a key treatment because of HER2 overexpression
Pertuzumab works as a HER2 and HER3 dimerization blocker, thus enhancing trastuzumab (Chainitikun et al., 2021). The Neo Sphere clinical trial tested THP (trastuzumab, pertuzumab, and chemotherapy) and showed that THP had the best PCR results.
Lapatinib not effective, very harsh and toxic
Conclusion
Overall, Inflammatory Breast Cancer is a rare and rapidly spreading form of breast cancer. IBC affects mostly black, younger, and obese women. IBC is seen when either tumor suppressor or oncogenes mutate, because of its aggressive nature IBC is harder to diagnose and treat. Typically, IBC is treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, but new treatments are being researched such as targeted therapies and other forms of radiation.
