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Overexpression of androgen receptor and forkhead-box A1 protein in apocrine breast carcinoma

Manami Sasahara1, Akira Matsui, Yoshiko Ichimura

  • 1Department of Breast Surgery, National Hospital Organization, Tokyo Medical Center, 2-5-1 Higashigaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8902, Japan. matsuiakira@kankakuki.go.jp.

Anticancer Research
|March 6, 2014
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Apocrine breast carcinoma, often triple-negative, frequently expresses androgen receptor (AR). This suggests anti-androgenic therapies may offer a new treatment strategy for this cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Apocrine breast carcinoma frequently lacks estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), and HER2 expression, classifying it as triple-negative in most cases.
  • Androgen receptor (AR) signaling represents a potential therapeutic target for apocrine breast carcinoma due to its role in cancer growth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression of AR and related factors in apocrine breast carcinoma.
  • To explore the potential of AR-targeted therapies for apocrine breast carcinoma.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemical analysis of 54 apocrine breast carcinoma lesions.
  • Evaluation of ER, PgR, AR, HER2, Ki-67, FOXA1, and PSA expression.

Main Results:

  • 81.4% of cases were triple-negative (lacking ER, PgR, HER2).
  • 100% of cases expressed AR, 93% expressed FOXA1, and 48% expressed PSA.
  • High AR and FOXA1 expression suggests AR pathway involvement.

Conclusions:

  • Apocrine breast carcinomas predominantly express AR and FOXA1.
  • Targeted anti-androgenic therapies show promise for treating apocrine breast carcinoma.
Keywords:
ARApocrine breast carcinomaFOXA1PSA

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