The Role of Androgen Receptor and Antiandrogen Therapy in Breast Cancer: A Scoping Review

Breast cancer is not one disease but many different types that behave differently and need different treatments. Most therapies target the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, but another hormone receptor, called the androgen receptor, is also found in many breast cancers, including some aggressive tumors that lack the usual treatment targets. This review summarizes what is currently known about how the androgen receptor affects breast cancer development and how medicines that block it may help certain patients. We describe how the androgen receptor works inside cells, why it may slow tumor growth in some breast cancers but support growth in others, and what clinical studies have reported so far for antiandrogen drugs. Overall, benefits have generally been modest, and responses appear concentrated in carefully selected patients, meaning these treatments are not yet routine care. We also explain why resistance can occur and why better laboratory tests are needed to identify who is most likely to benefit. Finally, we outline future directions, including combining androgen receptor-blocking drugs with other treatments and using modern blood- and tissue-based testing to personalize therapy over time. This work is valuable because it may guide the development of new options for patients with limited choices while helping avoid ineffective treatment.