Chemotherapy based on the sequential use of
anthracyclines and
taxanes has long represented the most efficacious approach in the management of early-stage,
triple-negative breast cancer, whose aggressive behavior is widely renowned. This standard
chemotherapy backbone was subsequently enriched by the use of
carboplatin, based on its association with increased
pathologic complete response and efficacy in the metastatic setting. Following the results from the IMpassion130 trial, the recent approval of the immunotherapic agent
atezolizumab in combination with
chemotherapy as first-line treatment for programmed-death
ligand 1-positive, unresectable locally advanced, or metastatic
triple-negative breast cancer increasingly fueled the flourishing of trials of
immune-checkpoint inhibitors in the early setting. In this work, we review the most recent inherent literature in light of key methodological issues and provide a quantitative summary of the results from phase II-III randomized trials of immunotherapic agents combined with
chemotherapy in the setting of interest. Hints regarding future directions are also discussed.