Androgen receptors are acquired by healthy postmenopausal endometrial epithelium and their subsequent loss in endometrial cancer is associated with poor survival.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a hormone-driven disease, and androgen receptor (AR) expression in high-grade EC (HGEC) and metastatic EC has not yet been described.

Methods

The expression pattern and prognostic value of AR in relation to oestrogen (ERα and ERβ) and progesterone (PR) receptors, and the proliferation marker Ki67 in all EC subtypes (n = 85) were compared with that of healthy and hyperplastic endometrium, using immunohistochemisty and qPCR.

Results

Compared with proliferative endometrium, postmenopausal endometrtial epithelium showed significantly higher expression of AR (P < 0.001) and ERα (P = 0.035), which persisted in hyperplastic epithelium and in low-grade EC (LGEC). High-grade EC showed a significant loss of AR (P < 0.0001), PR (P < 0.0001)

SUBMITTER: Kamal AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4800292 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature