Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026
09:29
Studying Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Orthotopic Breast Cancer Model
Published on: March 20, 2020
Androgen receptor in triple negative breast cancer
K M McNamara1, T Yoda, K Takagi
1Department of Anatomical Pathology, Tohoku University School of Graduate Medicine, Japan. kmcnamara@patholo2.med.tohoku.ac.jp
The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
|September 18, 2012
Summary
Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) management is difficult. Androgen receptor (AR) presence in TNBC cells offers potential therapeutic targets, but its role remains unclear, necessitating further research.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) presents significant clinical challenges due to its aggressive nature and limited targeted therapies.
- A subset of TNBC cases expresses the androgen receptor (AR), suggesting potential therapeutic avenues through androgen signaling manipulation or AR-targeted treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize existing studies on AR positivity rates in TNBC patients.
- To consolidate findings on the effects of androgens in TNBC cell lines.
- To investigate the biological significance of AR in TNBC.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of literature assessing AR positivity in TNBC patient cohorts.
- Analysis of in vitro studies examining androgenic effects on TNBC cell lines.
- Examination of clinical data and survival analyses related to AR expression in TNBC.
Main Results:
- Reported rates of AR positivity in TNBC vary widely (0-53%), likely due to methodological differences in AR analysis.
- Most cell line studies indicate androgens promote TNBC proliferation.
- Preliminary clinical data suggest AR antagonists may improve outcomes for AR-positive TNBC patients.
Conclusions:
- Conflicting evidence exists regarding AR's role in TNBC: cell line studies suggest proliferation promotion, while some clinical and transfection studies indicate a benign or favorable prognostic role.
- Discrepancies between in vitro and clinical findings highlight the need for further translational research into androgen action mechanisms in TNBC.
Related Concept Videos
02:38Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
01:00Enzyme-linked Receptors
Enzyme-linked receptors are proteins that act as both receptor and enzyme, activating multiple intracellular signals. This is a large group of receptors that include the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family. Many growth factors and hormones bind to and activate the RTKs.
Neurotrophin (NT) receptors are a family of RTKs, including trkA, trkB, and trkC (tropomyosin-related kinase) receptors. TrkA is specific for nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-6, and neurotrophin-7. TrkB binds...
Neurotrophin (NT) receptors are a family of RTKs, including trkA, trkB, and trkC (tropomyosin-related kinase) receptors. TrkA is specific for nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-6, and neurotrophin-7. TrkB binds...
01:15Receptor Downregulation in MVBs
Multivesicular bodies (MVBs) are mature endosomes that sort ubiquitinated proteins and then fuse with lysosomes to degrade the sorted proteins. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) form a complex that can be internalized through endocytosis, sorted into an MVB, and later degraded.
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive EGFR activation may...
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive EGFR activation may...
01:31Transducer Mechanism: Nuclear Receptors
Nuclear receptors, or NRs, are unique transcription factors that regulate gene transcription and affect the cellular pathways involved in reproduction, development, or metabolism. Their ability to be stimulated by small lipophilic ligands and control vital cellular processes makes them ideal drug targets. Nearly 10-15% of currently prescribed drugs target these receptors.
About 48 different soluble family members of nuclear receptors are identified that can be divided into two main classes:
About 48 different soluble family members of nuclear receptors are identified that can be divided into two main classes:
02:57Targeted Cancer Therapies
The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
03:03mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
The mTOR pathway or the...