Expression of androgen receptor in bladder cancer: A tertiary care center study

Abstract

Introduction

The significance of androgen receptor (AR) expression in bladder cancer is the focus of current research. This study aimed to assess the significance of AR expression in bladder urothelial carcinoma.

Methods

A total of 206 cases of urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder were reviewed and immunohistochemical staining for AR was performed. The histological score was calculated as the product of the staining intensity and percentage of cells with positive nuclear staining. The staining results were correlated with demographic parameters, tumor grade, and detrusor muscle invasion status.

Results

Seventy-eight percent (n = 161) of cases tested positive for AR expression. AR was significantly overexpressed in non-muscle-invasive tumors (p = 0.042). Moreover, A higher AR expression was associated with increased disease-free survival (p = 0.019). However, AR expression was not significantly associated with cancer-specific survival, patient sex, or tumor grade (0.359, 0.747, and 0.867, respectively). AR expression is inversely related to muscle invasion and recurrence in bladder cancer.

Conclusion

The results of this study support those of several reports worldwide. Further molecular studies are required to elucidate the role of androgens in bladder cancer pathogenesis and therapy.