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 or radical 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.

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[in Japanese]

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