Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is molecularly diverse and lacks known treatment targets. The possible prognostic and therapeutic implications of androgen receptor (AR) expression in TNBC have drawn attention. The purpose of this study was to assess AR expression in TNBC, as well as its relationship to p53 and Ki-67 expression and its effect on clinical outcomes. Seventy-eight female patients with non-metastatic TNBC verified by histopathology were included. Clinicopathological characteristics, such as the expression of p53, Ki-67, and AR, were noted. A positive result for AR immunohistochemistry (IHC) was defined as ≥ 10% nuclear staining. To evaluate relationships between AR expression and clinical factors, statistical studies included multivariate logistic regression and bivariate comparisons (chi-squared, t-tests). Survival results were assessed using log-rank testing and Kaplan-Meier curves. There were 15.4% AR positive cases. Significant correlations were seen between AR positivity and Ki-67 expression (p = 0.034), Nottingham grades (p < 0.001), and TNM stages (p < 0.001). Overall survival (OS, 25.0 vs. 20.0 months; p = 0.001) and disease-free survival (DFS, 14.6 vs. 10.8 months; p = 0.015) were considerably shorter in AR + individuals. Shorter OS, DFS, and duration for recurrence were independently predicted by AR positivity, along with other factors, according to multivariate analysis. Worse survival outcomes and more aggressive tumor characteristics are linked to AR expression in TNBC. AR is a promising prognostic marker and therapeutic target in TNBC, despite its low prevalence (15.4%). To confirm these results and standardize AR positive levels, larger, multi-center studies are required.