Triple-negative breast cancer: from classical clinicopathological features to androgen receptor profile

Iulian Prutianu ¹, Simona Eliza Giuşcă , Bogdan Gafton

⁰Department of Morpho-Functional Sciences I, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iaşi, Romania; simonaelizagiusca@gmail.com; bianca.manole@ymail.com.

Romanian Journal of Morphology and Embryology = Revue Roumaine De Morphologie Et Embryologie +

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July 18, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Androgen receptor (AR) expression does not impact the clinical characteristics or survival outcomes in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Other factors like tumor stage and metastasis significantly affect patient survival.

Area Of Science

Oncology
Pathology
Molecular Biology

Background

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous group with unclear prognostic factors.
The role of androgen receptor (AR) in TNBC biology and its clinical significance remain poorly understood.
Understanding TNBC characteristics is crucial for developing targeted therapies and improving patient outcomes.

Purpose Of The Study

To investigate the clinicopathological spectrum of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
To evaluate the expression of androgen receptor (AR) in TNBC.
To determine the association between AR expression and clinicopathological features, including survival.

Main Methods

Retrospective analysis of 124 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cases.
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to assess the expression of ER, PR, HER2/neu, Ki67, and AR.
AR immunoexpression was categorized as negative or positive; statistical analysis was performed on clinicopathological data and survival.

Main Results

Androgen receptor (AR) was expressed in 63% of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cases.
No significant differences in clinicopathological characteristics or survival were observed based on AR expression (negative vs. positive).
Histological type, tumor stage, metastasis, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), treatment, and residual cancer burden (RCB) were significantly associated with survival.

Conclusions

Androgen receptor (AR) expression does not appear to influence the biological behavior or prognosis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
Factors such as tumor stage, metastasis, and TILs are critical determinants of survival in TNBC.
Further research may be needed to fully elucidate the role of AR in specific TNBC subtypes or its potential as a therapeutic target.