PSMA expression in hepatic colorectal cancer metastasis

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Gastroenterology
• Pathology

Background:

• Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is found in the neovasculature of various cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
• Detailed studies on PSMA expression in hepatic CRC metastases are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate PSMA expression in primary CRC and its corresponding hepatic metastases.
• To compare PSMA expression between hepatic CRC metastases and HCC.
• To identify factors associated with PSMA expression in hepatic CRC metastases.

Main Methods:

• Immunohistochemistry was used to assess PSMA expression in primary CRC (n=56) and hepatic metastases.
• Patients were subgrouped by treatment history and metastasis timing.
• PSMA expression in hepatic CRC metastases (n=76) was compared to HCC.

Main Results:

• PSMA levels in primary CRC correlated positively with tumor size.
• Lower PSMA expression in hepatic metastases was associated with higher CRC grade, advanced TNM stage, tumor deposits, and unresectability.
• PSMA expression correlated between primary CRC and hepatic metastasis only in untreated, concurrent metastases.
• PSMA expression in hepatic CRC metastases was comparable to HCC, irrespective of treatment or timing.

Conclusions:

• Adverse pathological features in primary CRC correlate with reduced PSMA expression in hepatic metastases.
• PSMA expression correlation between primary CRC and liver metastases is limited to specific conditions (concurrent, untreated).
• Hepatic CRC metastases and primary HCC exhibit similar PSMA expression levels.