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The Androgen Receptor in Breast Cancer: Biology and Treatment Considerations

  • Systemic Therapy (J O'Shaughnessy, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

The androgen receptor (AR) is expressed in 70–90% of invasive breast cancers. Despite the ubiquitous expression of AR in both primary and metastatic breast cancers, the clinical significance of this hormone receptor as a prognostic/predictive marker and its functional role in tumorigenesis remains poorly understood. This review summarizes the recent progress made in understanding the role of the AR as a prognostic/predictive marker in breast cancer and the underlying mechanisms by which the androgen-signaling pathway may be involved in breast cancer pathogenesis. In addition, this review examines the available clinical data for the use of androgen-blocking agents in the treatment of breast cancer and explores the ongoing development of newer AR-targeted agents in this setting.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Breast Cancer Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), 300 East 66th Street, New York, NY, 10065, USA

    Ayca Gucalp & Tiffany A. Traina

  2. Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA

    Tiffany A. Traina

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  1. Ayca Gucalp
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  2. Tiffany A. Traina
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Correspondence to Tiffany A. Traina.

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Gucalp, A., Traina, T.A. The Androgen Receptor in Breast Cancer: Biology and Treatment Considerations. Curr Breast Cancer Rep 4, 56–65 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12609-011-0059-z

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