A novel prognostic signature identifies MFAP4 as a tumor suppressor linking the tumor microenvironment to PI3K/AKT signaling in triple-negative breast cancer

Our study established a TME-centric prognostic signature and, more importantly, identified MFAP4 as a novel tumor suppressor in TNBC. We provide the first evidence that MFAP4 inhibits TNBC malignancy by restraining the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, thereby establishing a critical link between the ECM and intracellular oncogenic signaling. MFAP4 represents a promising prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for TNBC.