Androgen Receptors in Human Breast Cancer and Female Canine Mammary Tumors.

Abstract

This review explores the potential role of androgens in human breast cancer and female canine mammary tumors. Human breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women globally, while female canine mammary tumors provide a natural model for the study of human breast cancer due to their similar histopathologies and molecular features. Androgen receptors, typically linked to male sex hormones, are present in up to 90% of human breast tumors. These receptors interact with estrogen-receptor signaling, suggesting their involvement in a complex mechanism in cancer progression. Androgen receptors have become key players in breast cancer biology, offering new targets for therapeutic strategies. The presence of these receptors in both human and canine tumors raises important questions about their role in the development of these malignancies. While the exact mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated, research suggests that targeting androgen-receptor signaling could be a novel therapeutic approach for both humans and canines. Further studies are necessary to fully understand the implications of androgen-receptor expression and to develop more effective targeted therapies for these cancers.