New ways to improve breast cancer therapy targeting specific molecular pathways

Preclinical laboratory science has revealed multiple new targets for breast cancer therapy. Clinical trials targeting key signaling pathways are underway and a number of new drugs have been approved for treatment. Targeting of growth factor receptors by monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors were among the first to be approved, but new small molecules inhibiting the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling pathway have also shown promise. This review will evaluate potential new targets and specifically targets in hormone receptor positive and triple negative breast cancer.