The association between androgen receptor expression and some pathological characteristics in patients with breast cancer

Abstract

Context: Breast cancer is the most current malignancy in women all around the world. Considering the presence of the androgen receptor as a possible prognostic marker, attention has been given to its association with other molecular markers such as estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her 2)/neu, and clinicopathological characteristics and the target of cancer therapy. Aims: This study aimed to assess the level of androgen receptor (AR) and its association with other clinicopathological factors in patients with breast cancer. Settings and Design: Samples from 100 breast cancer patients were studied to evaluate the expression of AR using immunohistochemistry. Subjects and Methods: The association of AR was evaluated with ER, PR, and Her2 levels; age; tumor size; tumor grade; histological grade; nuclear grade; vascular invasion; perineural invasion; and lymph node involvement. The correlation between the expression of AR and other factors was assessed using t, Mann–Whitney, and Chi-square tests using SPSS. Results: Among 100 patients, 50 (50%) cases were AR positive. There was a significant correlation between AR expression and triple-negative breast cancer and the expressions of ER, PR, and Her2. However, there was no significant association between AR expression and other clinicopathological markers such as age, tumor size, type of tumor, and histological grade. Conclusion: Owning to the expanded expression of AR in 50% of patients with breast cancer in this study as well as the significant association between AR expression and triple-negative breast carcinoma, AR ER, PR, and Her 2, could be considered as a promising prognostic factor.