World J Surg Oncol. 2025 Feb 11;23(1):48. doi: 10.1186/s12957-025-03673-w.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the expression and clinical relevance of the androgen receptor (AR) in breast cancer.
METHODS: This retrospective study examined the expression of AR in breast cancer and its correlation with patients’ clinicopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics. A total of 521 patient records were gathered and assessed. Patients were categorized as either positive or negative for AR expression, and statistical analyses were conducted using the chi-square test, logistic regression in SPSS 26.0, and Kaplan-Meier analysis.
RESULTS: AR was detected in 83.7% of the 521 patients studied. There was a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of AR positivity among different molecular subtypes, estrogen receptor (ER) status, progesterone receptor (PR) status, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis further revealed that ER and PR positivity were identified as risk factors for AR expression, and Kaplan-Meier curve analysis demonstrated the potential of AR as a prognostic indicator for breast cancer outcomes. Additionally, AR positivity was associated with a favorable prognosis.
CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest a strong correlation between AR expression and ER and PR co-expression in breast cancer. Additionally, AR positivity in the absence of ER and PR expression is associated with a favorable prognosis, indicating potential therapeutic value as a novel target in breast cancer treatment. Particularly in endocrine resistance or triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), AR may serve as a significant prognostic indicator, warranting further investigation.
PMID:39934842 | DOI:10.1186/s12957-025-03673-w
