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A targetable androgen receptor-positive breast cancer subtype hidden among the triple-negative cancers
Damoun Safarpour1, Fattaneh A Tavassoli
1From the Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
Context:
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subgroup of breast cancers that by definition lack expression of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). A diverse group of tumors, TNBC shares some morphologic and molecular features with basal-like breast cancer, a category of breast cancer defined by gene expression profiling. More likely to occur in young women and African Americans, TNBCs may exhibit aggressive behavior and are associated with poor prognosis despite their initial response to conventional chemotherapy. Because hormonal or HER2-targeted therapies are ineffective for these tumors, the main therapeutic option is systemic chemotherapy. Therefore, identification of new targets for therapy is urgently needed for this group.
Objective:
To review and present recent literature along with our own experience regarding the clinical and morphologic characteristics and the prevalence of androgen receptor (AR) expression in TNBC, and to discuss the potential use of AR as a therapeutic target for AR(+) TNBC.
Data Sources:
Data sources are published articles from peer-reviewed journals in PubMed (US National Library of Medicine).
Conclusions:
AR is the most commonly expressed hormone receptor among all breast carcinomas, with a prevalence of 25% to 75% among TNBCs. Therefore, we strongly support the routine assessment of AR in TNBC, and preferably in all breast carcinomas.
Insights
Androgen receptor (AR) is frequently expressed in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a challenging cancer subtype. Routine assessment of AR in TNBC is recommended for potential new therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2 expression.
- TNBC often presents aggressively, particularly in younger women and African Americans.
- Current therapies for TNBC are limited to systemic chemotherapy, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review clinical and morphologic features of TNBC.
- To determine the prevalence of androgen receptor (AR) expression in TNBC.
- To explore AR as a potential therapeutic target for AR-positive TNBC.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of peer-reviewed articles.
- Data sourced from PubMed (US National Library of Medicine).
Main Results:
- Androgen receptor (AR) is the most common hormone receptor in breast carcinomas.
- AR expression is found in 25% to 75% of TNBC cases.
- This suggests AR is a prevalent biomarker in TNBC.
Conclusions:
- Routine assessment of androgen receptor (AR) in TNBC is strongly supported.
- AR assessment is also recommended for all breast carcinomas.
- AR represents a promising therapeutic target for AR(+) TNBC.
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