Clinical Implications of Androgen-Positive Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Simple Summary Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents a heterogeneous group of breast cancers that lack estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal factor 2 (HER2) amplifications. This triple negativity represents a challenge in choosing the right treatment, as without the aforementioned biomarkers there are no efficient therapeutic targets. Nevertheless, some triple-negative breast cancers express androgen receptor (AR), which could be used as a novel therapeutic target in such subgroup of breast cancers. In our review, we aimed to identify clinical features and proposed potential therapeutic approaches of this specific subgroup-AR-positive triple-negative breast cancer. Our findings contributed to a better understanding of the current problematics regarding AR-positive TNBC. This review summarizes the recent findings of a vast array of studies conducted on androgen receptor-positive triple-negative breast cancer (AR-positive TNBC) to provide a better understanding of this specific breast cancer subgroup. AR expression is correlated with higher age, lower histological grade, lower proliferation index Ki-67, spiculated masses, and calcifications on mammography. Studies investigating the correlation between AR expression and lymph node metastasis are highly discordant. In addition, results regarding prognosis are highly contradictory. AR antagonists are a promising novel therapeutic approach in AR-positive TNBC. However, AR signaling pathways should be more investigated in order to understand the influence of AR expression on TNBC more thoroughly.

Automated summary

Triple-negative breast cancer lacks hormone receptors and HER2 amplifications, posing challenges in treatment selection. However, some TNBCs express androgen receptor (AR) which can be a therapeutic target. This review summarizes clinical features and potential therapies for AR-positive TNBC and highlights the need for further research on AR signaling pathways.