# The Great Potential of DNA Methylation in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: From Biological Basics to Clinical Application

## TL;DR

DNA methylation could improve diagnosis and treatment of aggressive triple-negative breast cancer by predicting prognosis and overcoming drug resistance.

## Contribution

This review highlights DNA methylation's potential for early diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis prediction in triple-negative breast cancer.

## Key findings

- DNA methylation patterns contribute to tumor progression and chemotherapy resistance in TNBC.
- Epigenetic therapies targeting DNA methylation show promise in preclinical and early-phase clinical studies.
- Methylation-based models enable personalized treatment and better survival outcomes for TNBC patients.

## Abstract

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is characterized by a lack of the estrogen receptor, the progesterone receptor, and HER2 expression, is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype and has a poor prognosis and high recurrence rates because of frequent chemotherapy resistance. As a crucial epigenetic regulator, DNA methylation modulates gene expression through aberrant methylation patterns, contributing to tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. Early diagnosis and treatment of TNBC are vital for its prognosis. The development of DNA methylation testing technology and the application of liquid biopsy provide technological support for early diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, preclinical and early-phase clinical studies suggest that epigenetic therapies targeting DNA methylation may hold promise for TNBC treatment, pending larger clinical trials. Furthermore, research on DNA methylation-based prognostic models enables personalized precision treatment for patients, helping to reduce unnecessary therapies and improve overall survival. The emerging role of DNA methylation patterns in predicting the therapeutic response and overcoming drug resistance is highlighted. In this narrative review, we integrate current research findings and clinical perspectives. We propose that DNA methylation presents promising research prospects for the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis prediction of TNBC. Future efforts should focus on translating methylation-driven insights into clinically actionable strategies, ultimately advancing precision oncology for this challenging disease.