Association between catechol-O-methyltransferase expression and the prognosis of prostate cancer

• Published in: Journal of Iwate Medical Assiociation Vol. 76; no. 2; pp. 35 - 44
• Main Authors: 石川 健太, 前川 滋克, 高田 亮, 杉本 亮, 五十嵐 大樹, 松浦 朋彦, 加藤 廉平, 兼平 貢, 菅井 有, 小原 航
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Iwate Medical Association 01.06.2024; 岩手医学会
• Subjects: biomarker; catechol-O-methyltransferase; immunohistochemistry; overall survival; prostate cancer
• ISSN: 0021-3284; 2434-0855
• DOI: 10.24750/iwateishi.76.2_35

The enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibits the proliferation of prostate cancer (PCa). We aimed to assess the possibility of using COMT expression as a biomarker for PCa progression in clinical specimens. We retrospectively evaluated tissue samples of 60 patients with PCa collected via needle biopsy orradical prostatectomy. Immunostaining of COMT was performed using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded blocks obtained from the initial prostate biopsy for diagnosis or prostatectomy. Immunostaining evaluations were scored by immunostaining intensity ( 0 – 3 ) and staining area ( 0 – 3 ). A total score ≧ 4 was defined as “ high expression ” and a total score ＜ 4 was defined as “ low expression. ” The associations between COMT expression levels and clinical outcomes were assessed. Of the 60 cases, nine ( 15 %) showed low expression of COMT. Overall survival was significantly shorter in patients with lower COMT expression than those with higher COMT expression (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.24, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0 . 07 – 0 . 83 , p = 0 . 024 ). Patients with lower COMT expression have a significantly poorer prognosis for PCa. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an association between COMT expression and the prognosis of prostate cancer in clinical specimens.