(Yicai Global) March 8 --  Chinese researchers have after five years of studies made inroads into  figuring out how triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive type of  the disease, starts and spreads. 

Professor Shao Zhimin from  Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and his team found out that  triple-negative breast cancer is not a single illness but has genetic  mutations in different subtypes, state-backed Shanghai Observer reported, citing Shao. 

The study involved over  460 specimens, and built the world's largest triple-negative breast  cancer gene map by a gene sequencing technology. The research team will  next start clinical trials to develop targeted drugs as soon as  possible.

If the scientific  community can identify the types of gene mutation via clinical trials,  it will be easier to detect potential patients early and receive more  precise treatment, Shao said. The proportion of these mutations in  Chinese patients was significantly higher than that in the US.

Patients who suffer from  this type of cancer are usually young, and the offered treatment of  chemotherapy has not achieved a satisfactory success rate. 

Editor: Emmi Laine