The role of androgen receptors in breast cancer

Abstract

BackgroundBreast cancer is a heterogenous group of diseases with steroid hormone dependant carcinogenesis. Along with Estrogen Receptor (ER), Progesterone Receptor (PR), Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 (HER2), androgen receptor (AR) is now emerging to play key role in disease progression of various molecular breast cancer subtypes especially triple negative breast cancers. Aim of this study was to find out prevalence of AR positivity in all breast cancers, correlation of ER, PR, HER2 and Ki67 index with AR positivity. To find out correlation of AR positivity with histological grade. MethodsThis was a descriptive cross-sectional study done on 55 primary breast carcinoma cases. Routine Hematoxylin and Eosin stain as well as immunohistochemical ER, PR, HER2/neu, Ki67 and AR stain were done. The outcome was assessed in the form of relationship between AR and ER, PR, HER2 status and Ki-67 index and histopathological grade. ResultsAR positivity was seen in 69% of all breast cancers. AR positivity was seen in 8% of triple negative breast cancers. High Ki67 index showed 55% AR positivity. Grade II breast cancers showed 42% AR positivity. ConclusionCases with triple negative breast cancers have worst prognosis. Unlike targeted novel hormone therapy (tamoxifen) in luminal cancers and monoclonal antibody (trastuzumab) in her2 enriched cancers, AR is looked upon as a target to treat triple negative breast cancer. However, the existing controversies demand more AR related studies.