Described are methods of detecting circulating HOTAIR in breast cancer patients. The detection of circulating HOTAIR may aid in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (“TNBC”) or anti-estrogen resistant breast cancer. Circulating HOTAIR may be quantified before and after treatment to determine effectiveness of the treatment. Aspects are directed to diagnosing and treating TNBC and/or anti-estrogen resistant breast cancers in a subject by detecting circulating HOTAIR levels from a sample in the patient. The treatments may include administering agents that decrease the activity of EGFR and c-ABL, such as lapatinib and imatinib, respectively. Additional embodiments of the treatments include administration of a chimeric aptamer that targets both EGFR activity and HOTAIR expression.
