title: Long CAG repeat sequence and protein expression of androgen receptor considered as prognostic indicators in male breast carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The androgen receptor (AR) expression and the CAG repeat length within the AR gene appear to be involved in the carcinogenesis of male breast carcinoma (MBC). Although phenotypic differences have been observed between MBC and normal control group in AR gene, there is lack of correlation analysis between AR expression and CAG repeat length in MBC. The purpose of the study was to investigate the prognostic value of CAG repeat lengths and AR protein expression.
  
  
  METHODS
  81 tumor tissues were used for immunostaining for AR expression and CAG repeat length determination and 80 normal controls were analyzed with CAG repeat length in AR gene. The CAG repeat length and AR expression were analyzed in relation to clinicopathological factors and prognostic indicators.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AR gene in many MBCs has long CAG repeat sequence compared with that in control group (P = 0.001) and controls are more likely to exhibit short CAG repeat sequence than MBCs. There was statistically significant difference in long CAG repeat sequence between AR status for MBC patients (P = 0.004). The presence of long CAG repeat sequence and AR-positive expression were associated with shorter survival of MBC patients (CAG repeat: P = 0.050 for 5y-OS; P = 0.035 for 5y-DFS AR status: P = 0.048 for 5y-OS; P = 0.029 for 5y-DFS, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The CAG repeat length within the AR gene might be one useful molecular biomarker to identify males at increased risk of breast cancer development. The presence of long CAG repeat sequence and AR protein expression were in relation to survival of MBC patients. The CAG repeat length and AR expression were two independent prognostic indicators in MBC patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Breast Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
authors.forename: Yan-Ni
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Jing-Shu
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Geng
authors.forename: Tong
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Zhen-Bin
authors.initials: ZB
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Bing-Shu
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.forename: Hong-Fei
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Xiao-Mei
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Guo-Qiang
authors.initials: GQ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yan-Lv
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Zhi-Gao
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Da
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018567:Breast Neoplasms, Male / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D019680:Trinucleotide Repeat Expansion; D018911:Trinucleotide Repeats
chemical_list: D011944:Receptors, Androgen