TNBC cell surface marker

The term "TNBC cell surface marker" denotes any cell membrane protein or antigen expressed on the surface of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells, used for diagnostic, prognostic, or therapeutic purposes. TNBC is defined by the absence of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2, and is characterized by aggressive behavior, limited therapies, and poor prognosis[2][5]. Commonly investigated TNBC cell surface markers include CD44, CD24, ALDH1, EGFR, Trop-2 (TACSTD2), GPNMB, and more recently, cell-surface keratin 1 (KRT1)[2][5][6]. These markers serve various biological functions such as tumor cell signaling, adhesion, stemness, and modulation of tumor microenvironment, and are under active investigation as both biomarkers for patient stratification and therapeutic targets. However, different TNBCs may express distinct patterns of these markers; no single marker is universally used or approved for clinical targeting in TNBC, and none define a unique, canonical molecular entity called "TNBC cell surface marker."

Other names

Triple-negative breast cancer cell surface markerTNBC biomarkerTNBC surface antigenTNBC cell marker