Progression-free survival exceeding four years after transarterial embolization for liver metastases from triple-negative breast cancer: a case report

Liver metastasis in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated with an unfavorable prognosis. Prior studies have reported a median overall survival of approximately 3-15 months after the diagnosis of liver metastasis, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 12%. We present the case of a 46-year-old woman who developed a solitary liver metastasis 14 months following curative-intent surgery for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Following multidisciplinary team (MDT) evaluation, she received superselective hepatic arterial transarterial embolization (TAE) in combination with a TP regimen (paclitaxel and carboplatin). After a partial response was achieved per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1, therapy was de-escalated to one year of oral capecitabine maintenance. Following multimodal therapy, the liver metastasis demonstrated substantial radiologic regression and durable disease control. The patient has remained progression-free for more than 48 months (PFS > 4 years), an outcome that is uncommon in metastatic TNBC. This case supports the concept that, in carefully selected patients with solitary TNBC liver metastasis, combining locoregional interventional therapy with systemic treatment may yield prolonged tumor control. By reducing intrahepatic tumor burden, locoregional embolization (e.g., TAE) may extend the effective treatment window for systemic therapy and may contribute to improved long-term outcomes.