The CCK–8 results showed that changes in periostin expression had no significant effect on the proliferation of TNBCs (Fig. 5a–b); however, inhibition of periostin expression enhanced the sensitivity of TNBCs to PTX treatment and significantly reduced tumor cell viability, whereas the killing effect of PTX on TNBCs was greatly diminished when rhPeriostin was administered (Fig. 5c–d). The gene discussed is POSTN; the disease is neoplasm.