Nectin-4 Expression in Prostatic Adenocarcinoma: An Immunohistochemical Study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Urothelial Carcinoma Research
• Prostate Cancer Research

Background:

• Enfortumab vedotin (EV), a Nectin-4 targeted antibody drug conjugate, is a frontline therapy for urothelial carcinoma (UC).
• Nectin-4 is widely expressed in UC, driving its use in this cancer.
• Limited data exists on Nectin-4 expression in prostate cancer, despite many UC patients having concomitant prostate cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate Nectin-4 protein expression in prostate cancer using immunohistochemistry.
• To determine if Nectin-4 expression levels differ across prostate cancer grades.
• To assess the potential for Nectin-4 targeted therapies in prostate cancer.

Main Methods:

• Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate Nectin-4 expression in 302 prostatic adenocarcinomas (Grade Groups 1-5).
• Expression intensity was scored (1-3), and H-scores were calculated (percentage of cells x intensity).
• Nectin-4 expression in benign prostate tissue was also assessed for comparison.

Main Results:

• Nectin-4 was frequently expressed in benign prostate tissue (86%) and prostatic adenocarcinoma (91%).
• Mean Nectin-4 H-score was significantly higher in adenocarcinoma (90) than benign tissue (40) (p < 0.001).
• No significant differences in Nectin-4 expression were observed across prostate cancer Grade Groups 1-5.

Conclusions:

• Nectin-4 protein is commonly expressed in both benign prostate tissue and prostate adenocarcinoma.
• These findings support further investigation into enfortumab vedotin (EV) efficacy for prostate cancer.
• Nectin-4 expression provides a rationale for exploring EV in prostate cancer patients.