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Updated: Sep 14, 2025
Studying Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Orthotopic Breast Cancer Model
Published on: March 20, 2020
Androgen receptor expression in triple negative breast cancer: an Algerian population study
Amel Hedjem1, Amal Kouchkar2, Amel Ladjeroud3
1Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University M'hamed Bougara, Boumerdes, Algeria.
Abstract:
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a molecular subtype of breast cancer characterized by the absence of estrogen and progesterone receptors and the lack of HER2 overexpression. TNBC is highly heterogeneous, complicating the identification of new therapeutic targets. However, the expression of the androgen receptor (AR) in the luminal androgen receptor (LAR TNBC) subgroup has opened the door to alternative therapeutic approaches. This study aimed to assess AR expression and correlate it with clinicopathological factors in 160 early-stage TNBC patients treated from February 2015 to February 2017. Our findings reveal that AR expression is observed in 16.87% (27/160) of ≥1% AR positivity cases. Moreover, a significant 12.5% (20/160) was found in ≥10% AR positive cases. Positive AR expression was inversely correlated with a high Ki-67 proliferation index and with the basal immunophenotype. The five-year survival rate for our cohort was 83.12%, and no significant association between AR expression and overall survival was observed (p = 0.77). The study highlights the potential role of AR expression in TNBC and its implications for therapeutic strategies, although no significant association with overall survival was found.
Insights
Androgen receptor (AR) expression is found in a subset of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients. While AR positivity correlates with lower proliferation, it does not impact overall survival in this early-stage TNBC cohort.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks targeted therapies due to its heterogeneity.
- The Luminal Androgen Receptor (LAR) TNBC subtype expresses the androgen receptor (AR), offering potential therapeutic avenues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate androgen receptor (AR) expression in early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
- To correlate AR expression with clinicopathological factors and patient survival.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 160 early-stage TNBC patients treated between February 2015 and February 2017.
- Assessment of AR expression levels (≥1% and ≥10% positivity).
- Correlation analysis with Ki-67 index, basal immunophenotype, and five-year overall survival.
Main Results:
- Androgen receptor (AR) expression was detected in 16.87% (≥1% positivity) and 12.5% (≥10% positivity) of TNBC cases.
- Positive AR expression showed an inverse correlation with high Ki-67 proliferation index and basal immunophenotype.
- No significant association was found between AR expression and the five-year overall survival rate (p=0.77).
Conclusions:
- Androgen receptor (AR) expression is a feature in a subset of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
- AR expression is linked to less aggressive tumor characteristics (lower proliferation, non-basal phenotype).
- Current findings suggest AR expression may not be a prognostic marker for overall survival in early-stage TNBC, but warrants further investigation for therapeutic targeting.
