Immunotherapy with chemotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancers are a subtype that does not respond to hormone therapy, or HER2-targeted treatments. They often benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy, combined with the immunotherapy pembrolizumab. This video explains how the combination works and what to expect. Immunotherapy works differently to chemotherapy; because rather than directly attacking cancer cells - it helps your own immune system recognise and respond to them. Both treatments are usually given intravenously, through a drip into a vein, alongside each other during your chemotherapy cycles before surgery. There are specific side effects related to the immunotherapy, and your team will explain these before treatment starts. These can range from mild to serious; but for most patients, they are manageable. Immune-related side effects can include skin rashes; and inflammation of the bowel, lung or liver. These are known as colitis; pneumonitis; and hepatitis respectively. Immunotherapy can also affect the hormone glands, including the thyroid; adrenal; pituitary or pancreas. Throughout the process, you will have regular blood tests to monitor for all of these. Immune-related side effects can appear at any point during treatment, and sometimes after it has finished. Please tell your team about any new symptoms promptly, as they are easier to manage early. To find out more, Macmillan Cancer Support has detailed information about immunotherapy and its side effects. If you have triple-negative breast cancer and would like to discuss treatment with chemotherapy and pembrolizumab, please get in touch with me or my team.