Coexpression of androgen receptor and FOXA1 in nonmetastatic triple-negative breast cancer: ancillary study from PACS08 trial. (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guiu, Séverine; Charon-Barra, Céline; Vernerey, Déwi; Fumoleau, Pierre; Campone, Mario; Spielmann, Marc; Roché, Henri; Mesleard, Christel; Arnould, Laurent; Lemonnier, Jérôme; Lacroix-Triki, Magali
• Is Part Of: Future oncology. Volume 11:Number 16(2015)
• Page Start: 2283
• Page End: 2297
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: androgen receptor -- FOXA1 -- molecular apocrine tumors -- triple-negative breast cancer; Oncology -- Periodicals; 616.99405
• DOI: 10.2217/fon.15.102
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1479-6694

Abstract

Aim: Microarray studies identified a subgroup of molecular apocrine tumors (estrogen receptor [ER] negative/androgen receptor [AR] positive) that express luminal genes including FOXA1 . FOXA1 may direct AR to sites normally occupied by ER in luminal tumors, inducing an estrogen-like gene program that stimulated proliferation.Materials & methods: Expression of AR and FOXA1 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 592 patients with nonmetastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).Results: Coexpression of AR and FOXA1 was found in 15.2% of patients. These tumors were more frequently lobular, found in older patients and exhibited a lower nuclear grade and a greater degree of node involvement. They less often exhibited lymphocytic infiltrate, pushing margins, syncytial architecture, central fibrosis or necrosis.Conclusion: TNBC with coexpression of AR and FOXA1 seems to behave like luminal tumors with a morphological profile distinct from other TNBC. These biomarkers could be useful to identify a subgroup of TNBC and could have future therapeutic implications.