Prevalence and associated factor of androgen receptor expression in early and locally advanced female breast cancer

Abstract

Background: Androgen receptor is one of biomarker in breast cancer. We aim to study prevalence of androgen receptor and its associated factor in early and locally advanced Thai female breast cancer. Methods: Clinical information was retrospectively reviewed. Age, body mass index, menstrual status, expression of estrogen receptor, progestrogen receptor and human epidermal receptor type 2 (HER-2), nuclear grade, staging and recurrence of disease were collected. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded breast tissue was processed according to standard guideline and immunohitsochemistry stained with androgen receptor marker clone AR-411. Androgen receptor expression was defined as 1% or more positive nuclear staining. Results: During 2013 to 2015, 100 consecutive patients with available tissue were included. Median age at diagnosis was 56 years (30-86). Menopause was documented in 52 patients. Estrogen receptor, progestrogen receptor and HER-2 were positive in 73, 56 and 43 patients, respectively. Eighteen patient were stage 1, 44 patient were stage 2 and 38 patient were stage 3. Androgen receptor was expressed in 68% (95% CI 58.9%-77.1%). Androgen receptor expression was associated with lower nuclear grading (for grade 1,2 and 3 = 8.8%, 67.6% and 23.5% vs 0%, 40.6% and 59.4%; p< .001), estrogen receptor expression (92.6% vs 31.3%; p< .001), progestrogen receptor expression (73.5% vs 18.8%; p< .001) but not with age, body mass index, menopausal status and HER-2 expression. Recurrence of disease was lower in those with androgen receptor expression (5.9% vs 21.9%; p= .034) Conclusion: Androgen receptor expression was common in Thai female breast cancer. Lower nuclear grading, estrogen and progestrogen receptor expression were associated with androgen receptor expression. Patient with androgen receptor expression may have lower recurrence.