Immunohistochemical localisation of androgen receptor in apocrine metaplasia and apocrine adenosis of the breast: relation to oestrogen and progesterone receptors

Aim-To investigate the receptor status of the sex steroid hormones in apocr ine metaplasia of the breast. Methods-82 cases of apocrine metaplasia, including 18 of the rare lesion ap ocrine adenosis, were studied immunohistochemically for the expression of a ndrogen receptor, oestrogen receptor, and progesterone receptor proteins on formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissue sections. The standard avidin bio tin complex (ABC) technique was followed and appropriate positive and negat ive 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 epith elium, is responsive to androgens, through androgen receptors, rather than to the female sex hormones. This may have clinical implications.