Role of androgen receptor expression in the metastatic potential of colorectal carcinoma

Abstract

Background The prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is widespread and associated with significant morbidity and deaths. In CRC, hormone receptors, such as androgen receptors (AR), are pathologically modified. Additional research is required to understand better its function and predictive and therapeutic value in CRC metastatic potential. Objective To assess the AR status in CRC primary tumors and metastatic lymph nodes. Methods Tissue microarray and immunohistochemical techniques were applied to 75 CRC cases with lymph node (LN) metastases. We correlate the results with all relevant clinicopathological indicators of prognostic relevance. Results and conclusion Out of the 75 cases that were analyzed, 16% of CRC primaries and 12% of LN metastases had nuclear AR that was focally positive. AR expression was significantly correlated with advanced age, conventional non-mucinous histology, lower grade, and arousal on top of adenoma. A deeper invasion was likewise linked to AR expression; however, this association was not statistically significant. AR expression has a positive prognostic influence since the median overall and disease-free survival of cases with positive AR expression in either primary carcinomas or LN metastases were significantly higher than that of cases with negative expression in both primary and LN metastases. We assume that AR expression in CRC has a positive prognostic influence.