Androgen receptor expression in triple-negative breast cancer: A retrospective cross-sectional study from South India

Abstract

Background: Triple-negative breast carcinoma (TNBC) lacks established hormonal targets, limiting therapeutic options. Androgen receptor (AR) expression has been proposed as a potential biomarker, though its clinicopathological relevance remains unclear. Aims and Objectives: This study evaluated the prevalence of AR expression in TNBC and its association with clinicopathological parameters. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 52 patients with TNBC treated at Tirunelveli Medical College (2017–2019). Primary TNBC cases with adequate formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue were included, while cases receiving neoadjuvant therapy or with inadequate tissue were excluded. AR expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry (≥1% nuclear staining=positive). Tumors were classified and graded according to the World Health Organization Classification of Breast Tumors and the Nottingham-modified Bloom–Richardson system, respectively. Associations with clinicopathological variables were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests, with P<0.05 considered significant. Results: AR expression was identified in 22 of 52 cases (42%). The mean age was 52.41±11.49 years in AR-positive cases and 49.80±10.76 years in AR-negative cases (P=0.701). Mean tumor size was comparable between AR-positive (4.04±2.06 cm) and AR-negative tumors (4.31±2.77 cm; P=0.405). No significant association was observed between AR expression and histological tumor type (P=0.722), tumor grade (P=0.332), tumor necrosis (P=0.879), stromal response (P=0.297), or lymph node status (P=0.281). Conclusion: AR expression was present in 42% of TNBC cases and showed no significant association with clinicopathological parameters.