Immunohistochemical localisation of androgen receptor in apocrine metaplasia and apocrine adenosis of the breast: relation to oestrogen and progesterone receptors.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the receptor status of the sex steroid hormones in apocrine metaplasia of the breast.


METHODS
82 cases of apocrine metaplasia, including 18 of the rare lesion apocrine adenosis, were studied immunohistochemically for the expression of androgen receptor, oestrogen receptor, and progesterone receptor proteins on formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue sections. The standard avidin biotin complex (ABC) technique was followed and appropriate positive and negative controls were used.


RESULTS
All the studied cases (82/82) were positive for androgen receptor, but were negative for oestrogen receptor and progesterone receptor.


CONCLUSIONS
Apocrine metaplastic epithelium, unlike the normal breast epithelium, is responsive to androgens, through androgen receptors, rather than to the female sex hormones. This may have clinical implications.
Selim
A G
AG
Department of Histopathology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, West Smithfield, London, UK. a.a.selim@mds.qmw.ac.uk
Wells
C A
CA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001050:Apocrine Glands / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005348:Fibrocystic Breast Disease / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008679:Metaplasia; D008875:Middle Aged; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000032:analysis*; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000032:analysis
D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone