Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Progresses Rapidly and is Aggressive; Doctors Urge NHI to Cover New Drug as First-Line Treatment
The Taiwan Breast Cancer Society and physicians are urging the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) to advance coverage of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for triple-negative breast cancer from current second-line to first-line treatment. Triple-negative breast cancer progresses rapidly with a poor prognosis, and the 5-year survival rate is only 10%. NHIA Director-General Chen Liang-yu responded that the agency will follow procedures to expand coverage as soon as possible and mentioned that a budget has been allocated for a new cancer drug fund.
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- 📰 Published: June 4, 2026 at 18:38
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(Central News Agency, reporter Chen Chieh-ling, Taipei, 4th) The 5-year survival rate for triple-negative breast cancer is similar to that of pancreatic cancer, making it nearly a king of cancers. The medical community called today for alignment with international standards, urging that antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) be moved from current second-line coverage to first-line treatment. National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) Director-General Chen Liang-yu said the agency will follow procedures to expand coverage as soon as possible.
According to Ministry of Health and Welfare mortality statistics and Health Promotion Administration cancer registry data, the standardized incidence and mortality rates for female breast cancer are 91.2 and 13.2 per 100,000 population, respectively, with the peak incidence occurring between ages 45 and 69. Breast cancer is the number one cancer in incidence and the second in mortality among Taiwanese women. Triple-negative breast cancer has long been the most challenging aspect of breast cancer care.
Chen Fang-ming, President of the Taiwan Breast Cancer Society, stated at a press conference today that triple-negative breast cancer progresses rapidly and easily metastasizes to the lungs, liver, and brain. In the past, patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer primarily relied on chemotherapy, which has significant side effects, imposes a heavy physical burden on patients, and often fails to maintain efficacy over the long term, with overall survival rarely exceeding 2 years.
Chen Fang-ming noted that since the advent of antibody-drug conjugates, this new drug has transformed the treatment困境 for patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. It combines the advantages of targeted therapy and chemotherapy, using targeting properties to deliver chemotherapy drugs precisely to cancer cells. This enhances treatment efficacy while reducing damage to normal cells, with significantly fewer side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy.
Dr. Chou Hsu-huan, an attending physician in General Surgery and Breast Surgery at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, stated that the 5-year survival rate for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer is as poor as that for pancreatic cancer. Taiwanese statistics show that the historical 5-year survival rate for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer is only 10%. The prognosis for triple-negative breast cancer is inherently worse than for other types of breast cancer. Real-world data from the United States indicates that one-third of patients die before receiving second-line treatment.
According to data presented by a Taiwanese team at the 2025 International Breast Cancer Conference, Taiwanese patients using antibody-drug conjugates experienced an 80% improvement in median progression-free survival, reaching 9 months. Dr. Chou Hsu-huan cautioned that innovative therapies are urgently needed to improve the prognosis of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. The rapid and aggressive progression of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer means that critical treatment cannot wait, which is a clinical consensus.
The NHIA began covering antibody-drug conjugates in February 2024. Chen Fang-ming pointed out that the current coverage conditions only allow use after chemotherapy has failed. However, international treatment guidelines have already listed this type of drug as a first-line treatment option. He hopes that in the future, through mechanisms like a new drug fund, patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer will have the opportunity to receive first-line coverage upon diagnosis of metastasis.
Chen Liang-yu stated that the NHIA continues to strengthen care for breast cancer patients, and over 1,000 patients in Taiwan have already benefited from this new drug. The NHIA will continue to work within the current framework to promote drug coverage. A budget has been allocated for the new cancer drug fund, which can be used for temporary payment of related expenses. Drug review meetings are held every two months, and the NHIA will follow procedures to include this drug in first-line coverage as soon as possible. (Editor: Kuan Chung-wei) 1150604
According to Ministry of Health and Welfare mortality statistics and Health Promotion Administration cancer registry data, the standardized incidence and mortality rates for female breast cancer are 91.2 and 13.2 per 100,000 population, respectively, with the peak incidence occurring between ages 45 and 69. Breast cancer is the number one cancer in incidence and the second in mortality among Taiwanese women. Triple-negative breast cancer has long been the most challenging aspect of breast cancer care.
Chen Fang-ming, President of the Taiwan Breast Cancer Society, stated at a press conference today that triple-negative breast cancer progresses rapidly and easily metastasizes to the lungs, liver, and brain. In the past, patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer primarily relied on chemotherapy, which has significant side effects, imposes a heavy physical burden on patients, and often fails to maintain efficacy over the long term, with overall survival rarely exceeding 2 years.
Chen Fang-ming noted that since the advent of antibody-drug conjugates, this new drug has transformed the treatment困境 for patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. It combines the advantages of targeted therapy and chemotherapy, using targeting properties to deliver chemotherapy drugs precisely to cancer cells. This enhances treatment efficacy while reducing damage to normal cells, with significantly fewer side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy.
Dr. Chou Hsu-huan, an attending physician in General Surgery and Breast Surgery at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, stated that the 5-year survival rate for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer is as poor as that for pancreatic cancer. Taiwanese statistics show that the historical 5-year survival rate for metastatic triple-negative breast cancer is only 10%. The prognosis for triple-negative breast cancer is inherently worse than for other types of breast cancer. Real-world data from the United States indicates that one-third of patients die before receiving second-line treatment.
According to data presented by a Taiwanese team at the 2025 International Breast Cancer Conference, Taiwanese patients using antibody-drug conjugates experienced an 80% improvement in median progression-free survival, reaching 9 months. Dr. Chou Hsu-huan cautioned that innovative therapies are urgently needed to improve the prognosis of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. The rapid and aggressive progression of metastatic triple-negative breast cancer means that critical treatment cannot wait, which is a clinical consensus.
The NHIA began covering antibody-drug conjugates in February 2024. Chen Fang-ming pointed out that the current coverage conditions only allow use after chemotherapy has failed. However, international treatment guidelines have already listed this type of drug as a first-line treatment option. He hopes that in the future, through mechanisms like a new drug fund, patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer will have the opportunity to receive first-line coverage upon diagnosis of metastasis.
Chen Liang-yu stated that the NHIA continues to strengthen care for breast cancer patients, and over 1,000 patients in Taiwan have already benefited from this new drug. The NHIA will continue to work within the current framework to promote drug coverage. A budget has been allocated for the new cancer drug fund, which can be used for temporary payment of related expenses. Drug review meetings are held every two months, and the NHIA will follow procedures to include this drug in first-line coverage as soon as possible. (Editor: Kuan Chung-wei) 1150604
FAQ
What is triple-negative breast cancer?
It is a type of breast cancer that tests negative for estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and HER2 protein. It is known for its aggressive nature and poor prognosis.
How does an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) work?
An ADC combines a targeted therapy with a chemotherapy drug. It binds specifically to cancer cells and releases the chemotherapy drug inside them, minimizing damage to normal cells.
When can ADCs be used under Taiwan's NHI?
Currently, ADCs are covered as a second-line treatment (after chemotherapy has failed). However, doctors are advocating for first-line coverage.