Can Hormonal Therapy Help Treat Triple-Negative Breast Cancer?

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Can Hormonal Therapy Help Treat Triple-Negative Breast Cancer?

Dec 6, 2024

Dr. Donald McDonnell discusses his research on estrogen, eosinophils, and triple-negative breast cancer.

New research suggests that estrogen plays a role in allowing hormone receptor-negative breast cancer to grow. This is because estrogen limits the ability of the immune system to attack cancer cells; it also makes immunotherapy medicines, like Keytruda (chemical name: pembrolizumab), less effective. Dr. Donald McDonnell, senior author of the study, explains the results and how they might make a difference for people with breast cancer.

Listen to the episode to hear Dr. McDonnell explain:

• what eosinophils are and how he started studying them in connection with breast cancer
• how estrogen in the body affects the immune system
• how a hormonal therapy medicine, like tamoxifen, can make an immunotherapy medicine, like Keytruda, more effective

Listen now or read the transcript.