In METABRIC, a high combined CCR7-PDPN score predicted poor survival in lymph node-positive patients, whereas either marker alone lacked prognostic value.<h4>Conclusions</h4>PDPN is a tumour cell-associated biomarker of plasticity in TNBC, revealing synergy between hypoxia-induced mesenchymal phenotypic shifts and CCR7 in promoting lymphatic dissemination and poor prognosis. The gene discussed is PDPN; the disease is neoplasm.