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The Role of Androgen Receptor in Breast Cancer

Domenico Iacopetta1, Yassine Rechoum2, Suzanne Aw Fuqua2

  • 1Department of Pharmaco-Biology, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza, Italy.

Drug Discovery Today. Disease Mechanisms
|November 17, 2015
PubMed

Insights

The androgen receptor (AR) is a promising new target for breast cancer treatment, potentially benefiting both estrogen receptor-positive and negative tumors. Further research explores its role as a biomarker and in metastatic disease progression.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The androgen receptor (AR) is a validated therapeutic target in prostate cancer.
  • Emerging evidence highlights AR as a significant hormonal target in breast cancer.
  • AR's unique functional domains suggest a distinct role in breast cancer compared to the estrogen receptor (ER).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the emerging role of the androgen receptor (AR) as a therapeutic target and biomarker in breast cancer.
  • To explore the potential clinical benefit of AR targeting in both ER-positive and ER-negative breast tumors.
  • To discuss AR's involvement in breast cancer progression and its relationship with other clinical targets like ErbB2/HER2.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research on androgen receptor function in breast cancer.
  • Analysis of AR expression patterns in different breast tumor subtypes.
  • Examination of signaling pathways downstream of AR and their clinical relevance.

Main Results:

  • AR is expressed in most ER-positive breast tumors and may benefit a subset of ER-negative tumors, especially when combined with ErbB2/HER2 targeting.
  • AR signaling pathways intersect with other critical pathways targeted in breast cancer therapy.
  • AR expression may be implicated in the progression of breast cancer to metastatic disease.

Conclusions:

  • The androgen receptor represents a novel and important therapeutic target and biomarker in breast cancer.
  • Targeting AR may offer clinical benefits across various breast cancer subtypes, including those resistant to endocrine therapy.
  • Understanding AR's multifaceted role is crucial for developing new treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes.
Keywords:
androgen receptorbreast cancerclinical targetestrogen receptor

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