What is the Origin of ER+/AR+ Breast Cancer?

This specific classification is pathological and clinical, stemming from standardized immunohistochemical staining techniques used by pathologists to phenotype tumor tissue. The term utilizes abbreviations for the critical steroid hormone receptors: ER for Estrogen Receptor and AR for Androgen Receptor, with the plus sign (+) indicating positive expression. This receptor-based categorization is a cornerstone of modern precision oncology and forms the basis for personalized endocrine treatment strategies.

What is the Mechanism of ER+/AR+ Breast Cancer?

Both estrogen and androgen hormones bind to their respective intracellular receptors, forming a ligand-receptor complex that translocates to the cell nucleus, where it functions as a powerful transcription factor. This binding event promotes the expression of specific genes that drive cellular proliferation, survival, and metastatic potential in the malignant cells. Therapeutic interventions, such as selective receptor modulators or enzyme inhibitors, function by competitively binding to these receptors or blocking the upstream synthesis of the hormones, thereby inhibiting the tumor's growth stimulus.

ER+/AR+ Breast Cancer ∞ Area

ER+/AR+ Breast Cancer

Meaning

ER+/AR+ Breast Cancer denotes a specific, clinically relevant subtype of breast malignancy where the cancer cells pathologically express both the Estrogen Receptor (ER) and the Androgen Receptor (AR). This dual-positive receptor status is highly significant because it indicates that the tumor’s proliferation and survival are driven, at least in part, by both estrogen and androgen signaling pathways. The presence of these functional receptors makes the tumor a prime candidate for targeted endocrine therapies that specifically block the action of these two steroid hormones.