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Updated: Sep 16, 2025

Orthotopic Transplantation of Breast Tumors as Preclinical Models for Breast Cancer
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Orthotopic Transplantation of Breast Tumors as Preclinical Models for Breast Cancer

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Epigenetic therapeutics: reprogramming triple-negative breast cancer into responsive subtypes

Wafaa S Ramadan, Aya Mudhafar Al-Azawi, Lama Lozon

    Endocrine-Related Cancer
    |July 10, 2025
    PubMed

    Insights

    Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is aggressive. Epigenetic drugs can reprogram TNBC cells into less aggressive subtypes, improving treatment effectiveness and patient outcomes.

    Area of Science:

    • Oncology
    • Epigenetics
    • Genomics

    Background:

    • Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype lacking targeted therapies.
    • TNBC exhibits high plasticity, contributing to therapeutic challenges.
    • Epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, are implicated in TNBC progression.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To review the role of epigenetic modulation in TNBC subtype conversion.
    • To explore the potential of epigenetic drugs (epidrugs) in enhancing TNBC treatment.
    • To discuss challenges and limitations of using epidrugs for TNBC.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of existing literature on epigenetic mechanisms in TNBC.
    • Analysis of how epigenetic drugs target enzymes like DNA methyltransferases and histone modifiers.
    • Discussion of TNBC plasticity and subtype reprogramming strategies.

    Main Results:

    • Epigenetic modulation can reprogram TNBC into less aggressive, more treatable subtypes.
    • Epidrugs can resensitize TNBC cells to conventional therapies like hormone therapy and chemotherapy.
    • Harnessing TNBC plasticity via epigenetics offers a novel therapeutic avenue.

    Conclusions:

    • Epigenetic reprogramming is a promising strategy for treating aggressive TNBC.
    • Epidrugs hold potential for personalized and effective TNBC therapies.
    • Further research is needed to address limitations and optimize epidrug use in TNBC treatment.
    Keywords:
    DNA methylationepidrugsepigenetic modulationshistone modificationsubtype conversiontriple negative breast cancer

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