Identification and analysis of metabolic reprogramming-related genes in triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is notorious for its rapid progression, tendency to metastasize, high recurrence rates, dismal outcomes, and limited treatment options, underscoring the urgent need to uncover new biomarkers and molecular pathways to enhance diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic strategies. Metabolic reprogramming continues to play a role throughout the life cycle of cancer, evolving and adapting. In this study, we aimed to identify specific genes associated with metabolic reprogramming in TNBC, which can potentially become unique biomarkers of this cancer. TNBC datasets retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus were employed to pinpoint genes exhibiting altered expression linked to tumor metabolic reprogramming. Key genes were accurately screened through machine learning algorithms, and then externally verified using the TBNC dataset based on the Cancer Genome Atlas database. Finally, immunohistochemical methods were used to clinically confirm the differential expression and trends of these key genes. Our analysis accurately identified four genes-CLEC7A, IRS1, RSPO3, and ALB-that are closely correlated with the metabolic reprogramming characteristics of cancer, and could be regarded as innovative biomarkers for TNBC. This opens a new avenue for further investigation into the mechanisms of metabolic reprogramming in TNBC and new treatment strategies.