Transcription factor occupancy limits DNA methylation and determines ICAM1 expression in breast cancer

• TF occupancy at the ICAM1 promoter limits DNA methylation, thereby promoting ICAM1 expression in breast cancer. • RELA and STATs recruit TET3 to counteract DNMT-mediated methylation, maintaining hypomethylation of the ICAM1 promoter CpG island. • ICAM1 expression correlates positively with DNMT and TET3 expression, suggesting a complex epigenetic regulatory network. • These findings provide novel insights into epigenetic regulation of ICAM1, potentially informing targeted therapies for breast cancer metastasis.