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An Ex vivo Model to Study Hormone Action in the Human Breast
Published on: January 8, 2015
Androgens in human breast carcinoma.
Takashi Suzuki1, Yasuhiro Miki, Kiyoshi Takagi
1Department of Pathology and Histotechnology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8575, Japan. t-suzuki@patholo2.med.tohoku.ac.jp
Medical Molecular Morphology
|August 5, 2010
Summary
Androgens, like 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), are present in higher concentrations within breast carcinoma tissue and may influence tumor growth. Further research is needed to clarify the role of androgen receptor (AR) status in patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Sex steroids, including androgens, are implicated in human breast carcinoma development.
- Androgen receptor (AR) expression is common in breast carcinoma, yet its functional significance is less understood compared to estrogen.
- Intratumoral concentrations of 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) are elevated in breast carcinoma, suggesting local production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on the role of androgens in breast carcinoma.
- To explore the mechanisms of local DHT production and regulation.
- To investigate the relationship between androgenic action, AR status, and clinical outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on androgens and breast carcinoma.
- Analysis of studies investigating intratumoral DHT production and its regulation by enzymes like 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 5, 5alpha-reductase, and aromatase.
- Examination of research on AR status, androgenic effects on cell proliferation, and their association with patient outcomes.
Main Results:
- DHT is found at higher concentrations in breast carcinoma tissue than plasma, produced locally from androstenedione.
- Aromatase may negatively regulate intratumoral DHT production by affecting testosterone levels.
- Androgens generally exhibit antiproliferative effects on breast carcinoma cells, but AR status correlation with clinical outcomes is debated.
- Molecular apocrine breast carcinoma, characterized by ER negativity, AR positivity, and enhanced androgen signaling, has been identified.
Conclusions:
- Local androgen production, particularly DHT, plays a role in breast carcinoma.
- The clinical significance of AR status in breast carcinoma requires further clarification due to complex androgenic actions.
- Androgenic signaling may contribute to the development of apocrine features in specific breast carcinoma subtypes.
