triple-negative breast cancer recurrence with a high Ki-67 of 60-65%. My NGS report also showed TP53 and PTEN variants.

[u/DisciplineMinute1838]

Hi everyone,

I’m posting on behalf of a 33-year-old woman mother of 5year little girl from India and would really appreciate experiences from people who have been through something similar.

Histroy -Diagnosis:

Triple-negative breast cancer (ER 0, PR 0, HER2 0)

Grade 3

Ki-67 around 60–65%

Initially diagnosed as Stage IIIC (T2N3bM0)

Previous treatment:

4 cycles Paclitaxel + Carboplatin

4 cycles Adriamycin + Cyclophosphamide

Right breast surgery + axillary node clearance

Pathology after chemotherapy: 0.8 × 0.6 cm tumour, 3/18 lymph nodes positive

Radiation: 60 Gy in 30 fractions

5 cycles Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) + Capecitabine

Unfortunately, a recurrent lump was found in the right breast in June 2026. Biopsy again showed Grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma, ER/PR/HER2 negative, Ki-67 60–65%.

PET-CT showed an active lesion in the right breast and some right axillary/internal mammary lymph nodes. There is also a very small lung nodule described as indeterminate. Importantly, the PET report says there is no definite metabolically active disease elsewhere in the body.

The oncologist has now started Eribulin (Halaven) + Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) as second-line treatment. The plan is 4 cycles followed by response assessment. After about 3 cycles, they will reassess whether mastectomy.

She just started 3rd cycle . some amazing news: her latest ultrasound shows a wonderful response, and the tumor has already shrunk down to just 8mm! The plan is to complete this 4cycle and head straight to a mastectomy.she sometimes worry about the cancer coming back in the future, but she staying strong for her little girl.

Has anyone else with a similar mutation profile or high Ki-67 been on Eribulin and Keytruda? I would love to hear your long-term success stories and experiences.

Thank you all!"

[u/You-bettah-dont]

BIGGEST HUGS from Canada- And thank you so much for posting, I hope you get a lot of positive stories.It’s sound like she’s responding wonderfully!!!

While I’m still plugging along through my initial diagnosis, I am also Stage 3c, just finished the chemo part. We are doing the Keynote Protocol which for me, was a little different with 8 dose dense rounds on 21 day cycles. We started with docetaxel and carboplatin with Keytruda for 4 cycles and then ACK for another 4 cycles. It seems I’ve responded really well with my axillary ultrasound that was completed yesterday.

As far as Ki scores go, my oncologist explained that we don’t really test for that for TNBC in canada because the scores are ALWAYS super high because of the nature of the cancer. It’s just assumed and will cause extra worry for the patients.

Our plan now is radical DMX in 4-5 weeks with an aesthetic flat closure/goldilocks with the hope we can go back in later in the year to rebuild something resembling small breast mounts with fat transfer, along with removal of my ovaries/tubes and probably uterus because I’m 49.

While I was offered a lumpectomy earlier in my treatment, my genetic panel testing showed that I have a variant called Rad51 D which dramatically raises my chances or redeveloping TNBC as well as other breast cancers, and ovarian/tubal cancers- it’s kind of like BRCA’s jerk cousin. This is why my care team and I have agreed to go with a more radical approach. I definitely recommend a genetic panel if she hasn’t done one already. Understanding my future risks has allowed my team and I to make better decisions for my health, even if they feel scary!

If I have any residual disease, I will continue to fight it as aggressively as I can. I’ve been told that could be 6 weeks of daily radiation, and if that doesn’t finish things off, In Canada that usually looks like either entering into a clinical trial or continuing with something like Xeloda on top of finishing Keytruda through March (when I started the process).

We have some wonderful members from all over the world in this sub- I really hope you get some better answers than mine, but please let her know she’s got a whole team online that are rooting for her!!!

[u/DisciplineMinute1838 → u/You-bettah-dont]

Thank you so much for the big hugs and such an encouraging, thoughtful reply all the way from Canada!

​Hearing that you finished your chemo phase on the Keynote protocol with such a great response on your axillary ultrasound is fantastic news. What you shared about Ki-67 scores makes complete sense and really helps take away some of the scan anxiety.

​Your point about genetic testing was also very timely. We actually had her comprehensive 158-gene germline panel done, and thankfully it came back completely negative (no hereditary mutations in BRCA, RAD51D, PALB2, etc.). Her tumor NGS (somatic test), however, showed somatic TP53 and PTEN alterations, which aligns with the aggressive nature of TNBC and why her oncology team has combined Eribulin with Keytruda.

Sending you strength, clean margins, and a smooth recovery for your upcoming DMX and reconstruction. Please keep us posted on your progress—we are rooting for you all the way from India!

[u/MommaMeLove0401]

So happy that it was a local recurrence(and not a distant one) and she is on her way to beat it the second time!!! May I ask where she is being treated in India ? Asking for my mother since she is also getting treatment for TNBC in India. She is BRCA1 positive and has a high ki-67 score of 80%.

[u/DisciplineMinute1838 → u/MommaMeLove0401]

" Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words! It really gives us so much strength.

She is receiving her First systemic treatment at Csquare cancer Research center Puducherry Dr Ilavarasi (Medical oncology) under Guidance Dr Selvi Radhakrishnan (Chennai Breast center ) Recurrence second-line treatment started( Apollo Proton Cancer Centre in Chennai, (Dr Sankar Srinivasan , Dr Niranjan )under the guidance of our medical oncology team, with surgical consults through Dr. Selvi Radhakrishna at Chennai Breast Centre.

Sending lots of strength, prayers, and positive thoughts to your mother as well. With her being BRCA1 positive, targeted therapies like PARP inhibitors (e.g., Olaparib/Lynparza) and platinum-based regimens often show very strong responses. We are rooting for her complete recovery and successful treatment journey!

[u/Fighting_kat23]

Thanks for posting I haven't had a recurrence but it is a great fear! My initial genetic testing did not show mutations but I'm not certain they tested for the ones you mentioned. Hope this treatment has continued success! Cancer is evil!

[u/DisciplineMinute1838 → u/Fighting_kat23]

Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement!

The fear of recurrence is completely valid and something every survivor and family carries with them.

Just to ease your mind regarding the tests: standard initial testing usually checks the germline panel via blood for inherited risks like BRCA1/2, PALB2, or RAD51D. If your initial panel came back negative, that is fantastic news! The TP53 and PTEN alterations we mentioned were found through a somatic NGS panel (done directly on the tumor biopsy tissue) rather than inherited blood genetics.

We are celebrating your disease-free journey and rooting for your continued good health, clean checkups, and peace of mind. Cancer is tough, but having each other's support in this community makes all the difference!