Molecular convergence of luminal androgen receptor and molecular apocrine defines a distinct entity in ER-negative breast tumors.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Estrogen receptor-negative breast cancers are clinically heterogeneous. Two subtypes, Luminal Androgen Receptor and Molecular Apocrine Breast Cancers, are both defined by androgen signaling but identified through distinct transcriptomic classifiers. Their relationship remains unclear despite overlapping features.

Methods

We analyzed transcriptomic and genomic data from public and institutional cohorts using two classification systems. Gene set enrichment and immune deconvolution analyses were performed to characterize differences between overlapping and discordant tumors. A four-gene signature was developed and validated using RNA sequencing and RT-qPCR on both fresh-frozen and formalin-fixed samples.

Results

Substantial overlap was observed between the two

SUBMITTER: Borgel A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12853821 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature