Expression of androgen receptor in HER2-low-expressing breast cancer tissues and its relationship with clinicopathological features,recurrence,and metastasis of patients

MEN Nan; DONG Guoyou; ZHANG Dongxiang

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1007-8096.2025.12.017

Abstract：Objective To investigate the androgen receptor(AR)expression in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)-low-expressing breast cancer tissues and to explore its relationship with clinicopathological features,recurrence,and metastasis of patients,so as to provide a theoretical basis for the detection and treatment of breast cancer.Methods Ninety-eight patients with HER2-low-expressing breast cancer diagnosed and treated at Tangshan Maternal and Child Health Hospital from April 2018 to June 2021 were selected.Patients were followed up until June 30,2024.The expression of AR in patients with HER2-low-expressing breast cancer and its correlation with clinicopathological features were analyzed.Then multivariate Cox regression model was utilized to verify the correlation of AR expression with recurrence and metastasis of HER2-low-expressing breast cancer.Results Among patients with HER2-low-expressing breast cancer,AR-negative expression was observed in 29 cases(29.59%),and AR-positive expression was found in 69 cases(70.41%).Significant differences in tumor diameter and Ki-67 expression were observed between AR-positive and AR-negative patients with HER2-low-expressing breast cancer(P＜0.05).The difference in AR positive expression rate between patients with recurrence/metastasis and those without was statistically significant(P＜0.05),and the proportion of AR-positive patients in the recurrence/metastasis group was significantly higher than that of AR-negative patients(P＜0.05).Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model denoted that positive AR expression(HR:1.568,95%CI:1.226-2.028),postmenopausal status(HR:1.297,95%CI:0.940-1.519),tumor diameter>2 cm(HR:2.882,95%CI:1.454-5.714),and Ki-67≥30%(HR:3.004,95%CI:1.553-5.967)were independent risk factors for recurrence and metastasis of patients with HER2-low-expressing breast cancer(P<0.05).Conclusion The proportion of positive AR expression is elevated in HER2-low-expressing breast cancer patients,and positive AR expression is a risk factor for recurrence and metastasis of patients.