Impact of increased aspartate aminotransferase to alanine aminotransferase (De Ritis) ratio in prognosis of testicular cancer

Abstract

Purpose

Imaging studies can show metastasis in testicular cancer (TCa); however, a test for risk of metastasis in TCa has not been described. The ratio of aspartate aminotransferase to alanine aminotransferase, also called the De Ritis ratio (DRR), is used for many other malignancies. We aimed to evaluate the association between preoperatively assessed DRR and prognosis in patients with TCa.

Materials and Methods

One hundred twenty-eight patients with TCa were enrolled in a retrospective study between March 2007 and January 2017. Clinical, biochemical, and pathological data were recorded. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used. The prognostic value of DRR and the threshold value were assessed by use of receiver operating characteristic curves. Significance was defined as p<0.05.

Results

Mean follow-up was 37±9.7 months. There were 45 and 73 TCa patients with and without lymph node metastasis, respectively. Lung metastases and other solid organ metastases occurred in 14 and 4 patients, respectively. The optimal DRR threshold was 1.30 for both retroperitoneal lymph node involvement and metastasis. DRR was determined as an independent prognostic factor for retroperitoneal lymph node involvement and organ metastasis in univariate and multivariate analyses (p<0.001, p=0.006 and p=0.002, p=0.047, respectively).

Conclusions

A preoperative DRR greater than 1.30 may be an independent risk factor for retroperitoneal lymph node involvement and organ metastases in patients with TCa.

INTRODUCTION

Testicular cancer (TCa) is responsible for 1% of solid organ neoplasms in men, and its incidence is increasing in Western countries [1,2,3,4]. Bilateral TCa is seen in 1% to 2% of cases at the time of diagnosis, and most of these cases are germ cell tumors [1].

The process of diagnosing TCa is begun and continued by determination of the level of tumor markers before and after surgical treatment, respectively. Follow-up regimens are also configured on the basis of these markers [5,6]. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are increased in almost 50% of patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumors. Moreover, most nonseminomatous germ cell tumors present with an increase in one or both markers. Nearly one-third of seminomas can have increased hCG along the course of TCa [7]. Surgical treatment is the backbone of TCa treatment. Radical orchiectomy is one aspect of definitive treatment of TCa [8,9].

Amino transaminases, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), are enzymes produced in liver cells and released into the circulatory system. Because they can indicate hepatocellular damage, these enzymes are routinely included in the commonly requested enzyme panel used to evaluate liver function [10]. The ratio of serum activities of AST to ALT has been known as the De Ritis ratio (DRR) since it was first described by Fernando De Ritis [11]. This ratio (AST/ALT) is also increased in liver diseases, specifically in viral hepatitis [12,13]. Published studies point to changing levels of amino transaminases [14]. Therefore, the DRR may be a prognostic biomarker in patients with malignant tumors [14]. In fact, these enzymes and the DRR have been reported as a significant prognostic biomarker in some malignancies [12,13,14]. However, the role of the DRR in TCa has not been presented in the published literature before.

In the present study, we evaluated the prognostic significance of preoperatively assessed DRR in the course of patients with TCa. Additionally, we described the threshold DRR for TCa metastasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

1. Subjects and study design

This was a retrospective evaluation of recorded data. All patients approved the study when they were diagnosed and provided signed consent forms. The Institutional Review Board of Izmir Katip Celebi University School of Medicine reviewed and approved the present study protocol (approval number: 2014/170). Patients with liver metastasis and/or viral hepatitis (HBV/HCV carrier), using liver-eliminated drugs, or with any liver disease (including any diseases that can cause liver fibrosis) were excluded. Clinical and pathology data for 128 patients with TCa who were admitted to our institution's urology outpatient clinic between March 2007 and January 2017 were assessed. Age; results of laboratory tests, including preoperative AFP, hCG, lactate dehydrogenase, AST, and ALT; tumor characteristics; clinical stage; pathological stage; pathological features of the tumor; tumor invasion to the spermatic cord; involvement into retroperitoneal lymph nodes; surgical margin; and any solid organ metastases were noted on Microsoft Excel data sheets. The primary outcomes were the presence of retroperitoneal lymph node involvement and metastasis.

2. Diagnosis, definitions, and evaluation tools

TCa was classified according to the 2009 TNM classification [15,16,17]. Preoperative retroperitoneal lymph node involvement and/or metastasis was evaluated with enhanced computed tomography. An automatic analyzer was used to determine AST and ALT levels by colorimetric methods. Upper levels of AST and ALT were ≥40 U/L and ≥35 U/L, respectively. The levels of AST and ALT were assessed within 1 week of radical orchiectomy.

3. Statistical analyses

IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 22.0 (IBM Co., Armonk, NY, USA) was used to perform the statistical analyses. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the potential prognostic value of the AST/ALT ratio. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) with 95% confidence interval (CI), sensitivity, and specificity are presented. DRR was recoded as a dichotomous variable according to its optimal cutoff to be tested in a multivariate logistic regression model. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for determining the testis tumor patients' prognosis according to the presence of retroperitoneal lymph node involvement and metastasis by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Significance was defined as p<0.05.

RESULTS

Mean follow-up was 37±9.7 months. Five patients were excluded because of liver metastasis from TCa. Thus, 123 patients with TCa were enrolled in the present study. The patients' mean age was 39.3±10.3 years. The minimum levels of AST and ALT were 19 U/L and 8 U/L, respectively. The maximum levels of AST and ALT were 71 U/L and 57 U/L, respectively. Demographic and clinical data are summarized in Table 1. There were 45 and 73 TCa patients with any metastasis and without lymph node involvement, respectively. For both presence of retroperitoneal lymph node involvement and metastasis, an AST/ALT ratio of 1.30 was determined as an optimal threshold (Fig. 1, AUC: 0.674; Fig. 2, AUC: 0.705). Fig. 1 shows 45 metastatic TCa patients. Thus, a variety of tests were used to evaluate the risk of any metastasis.

Table 1. Demographic and clinical data of patients with testicular cancer (n=123).

Variable	Value
Age (y)	39.32±10.36
Preoperative AST (U/L)	20 (19–71)
Preoperative ALT (U/L)	20 (8–57)
Preoperative AST/ALT	1.20±0.50
Preoperative AFP (ng/mL)	5 (1–54,260)
Preoperative hCG (mU/mL)	2 (0–1,164,157)
Preoperative LDH (U/L)	221 (114–2,782)
Lymphovascular invasion
Negative	78 (63.4)
Positive	45 (36.6)
Pathological T stage
T0	0 (0.0)
T1	78 (63.4)
T2	33 (26.8)
T3	12 (9.8)
T4	0 (0.0)
Epididymis invasion
Negative	113 (91.9)
Positive	10 (8.1)
Spermatic cord invasion
Negative	111(90.2)
Positive	12 (9.8)
Surgical margin
Negative	120 (97.6)
Positive	3 (2.4)
Retroperitoneal lymph node involvement
Negative	78 (63.4)
Positive	45 (36.6)
Lung metastasis
Negative	109 (88.6)
Positive	14 (35.2)
Extrapulmonary metastasis
Negative	119 (96.7)
Positive	4 (3.3)

Values are presented as mean±standard deviation, median (min–max), or number (%).

AST, aspartate aminotransferase; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; AFP, alpha fetoprotein; hCG, beta human chorionic gonadotropin; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase.

Fig. 1. The risk of retroperitoneal lymph node involvement in testicular cancer patients at a De Ritis ratio level of 1.30 (area under the curve, 0.674; 95% confidence interval, 0.563–0.786). ROC curve, receiver operating characteristic curve.

Fig. 2. The risk of metastasis in testicular cancer patients at a De Ritis ratio level of 1.30 (area under the curve, 0.705; 95% confidence interval, 0.535–0.875). ROC curve, receiver operating characteristic curve.

Univariate analyses were done to evaluate the presence of retroperitoneal lymph node involvement and rete testis involvement. These analyses suggested 1.30 for DRR as the threshold for lymph node involvement and/or metastases. In the multivariate logistic regression model, age had a protective effect (OR, 0.946; 95% CI, 0.907–0.986), although a preoperative hCG level of 5,000 mU/mL and above and a DRR of 1.30 and above were risk factors (OR, 6.170; 95% CI, 1.122–33.934; OR, 3.830; 95% CI, 1.478–9.924) in the assessment of metastasis.

Tumor size, preoperative hCG, lymphovascular invasion, rete testis involvement, and a DRR of 1.30 and above were risk factors in the univariate analyses for metastasis (OR, 1.222; 95% CI, 1.039–1.438; OR, 12.240; 95% CI, 3.164–47.352; OR, 3.429; 95% CI, 1.153–10.195; OR, 8.571; 95% CI, 2.408–30.506; OR, 6.441; 95% CI, 1.935–21.440). In the multivariate regression model, only a preoperative hCG level of 5,000 mU/mL and above and a DRR of 1.30 and above were risk factors (OR, 16.253; 95% CI, 2.783–94.906; OR, 4.561; 95% CI, 1.021–20.375) (Tables 2, 3). We also showed survival in Kaplan–Meier curves for retroperitoneal lymph node involvement (Fig. 3A) and metastasis (Fig. 3B).

Table 2. ORs on univariate analyses for presence of retroperitoneal lymph node involvement and metastasis in testis tumor patients.

Parameter	Retroperitoneal lymph node involvement (univariate)		Metastas (univariate)
	OR (95% CI)	p-value	OR (95% CI)	p-value
Age	0.946 (0.907–0.986)	0.212	1.006 (0.957–1.058)	0.817
Tumor size	1.081 (0.952–1.227)	0.231	1.222 (1.039–1.438)	0.015*
Preoperative hCG (<5,000 vs. ≥5,000)	10.191 (2.090–49.698)	0.004*	12.240 (3.164–47.352)	<0.001*
Lymphovascular invasion (negative & positive)	1.993 (0.925–4.293)	0.078	3.429 (1.153–10.195)	0.027*
Rete testis involvement (negative & positive)	4.286 (1.209–15.192)	0.024*	8.571 (2.408–30.506)	0.001*
De Ritis ratio (AST/ALT, <1.30 & ≥1.30)	4.830 (2.170–10.748)	<0.001*	6.441 (1.935–21.440)	0.002*
ALT	0.953 (0.912–0.995)	0.028*	0.968 (0.912–1.027)	0.282
AST	1.005 (0.954–1.059)	0.842	1.013 (0.945–1.087)	0.712

OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval; hCG, beta human chorionic gonadotropin; AST, aspartate aminotransferase; ALT, alanine aminotransferase.

^*Statistically significant, p<0.05.

Table 3. Adjusted OR and 95% CIs for clinical outcomes in testis tumor patients in multivariate analyses.

Parameter	Retroperitoneal lymph node involvement		Metastasis
	OR (95% CI)	p-value	OR (95% CI)	p-value
De Ritis ratio (<1.30 vs. ≥1.30)	3.830 (1.478–9.924)	<0.006*	4.561 (1.021–20.375)	0.047*
Preoperative hCG (<5,000 vs. ≥5,000)	6.170 (1.122–33.934)	0.036*	16.253 (2.783–94.906)	0.002*

OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval; hCG, beta human chorionic gonadotropin.

^*Statistically significant, p<0.05.

Fig. 3. Survival functions in Kaplan–Meier curves. (A) Retroperitoneal lymph node involvement. (B) Metastasis.

DISCUSSION

We investigated the relationship between the DRR and prognosis of TCa. Although we had a small patient population, we recorded 45 patients with TCa (36.6%) who had metastases. According to these findings, we determined the threshold DRR to be 1.30. Thus, our findings suggest that a preoperative DRR higher than 1.30 may be a sign of organ metastases or retroperitoneal lymph node involvement.

Diagnosis of TCa depends on clinical, laboratory, and radiological features and tumor markers [18]. From another point of view, however, none of these can accurately predict with certainty the presence of future metastases. If retroperitoneal lymph node involvement or metastasis is not detected in radiologic examinations, markers cannot provide information for metastases or retroperitoneal lymph node involvement. Here we showed evidence of the opposite: that an increased preoperative DRR might be an indicator for retroperitoneal lymph node involvement or organ metastases in TCa. In this way, the DRR can provide clinicians a means of predicting retroperitoneal lymph node involvement and metastases before inguinal orchiectomy.

Serum tumor markers are important in preoperative and postoperative follow-up for TCa. It is well known that the mean serum half-lives of hCG and AFP are 3 days and 5 days, respectively [7]. Thus, TCa tumor markers should be reevaluated after surgery, taking into account the half-life of tumor markers. In view of this, patients with clinical stage 1 TCa should undergo reassessment until normal values are measured. Markers are essential for categorizing TCa patients before starting chemotherapy [19]. The detection of elevated serum tumor markers after orchiectomy may be a sign of metastasis (macro- or micro). On the other hand, clinicians should be cognizant that normal values of a marker after orchiectomy do not exclude tumor metastases. Moreover, tumor markers should be followed-up, and persistence of elevated marker levels indicates a poor prognosis during chemotherapy [20,21].

AST is produced in different tissues, whereas ALT is regarded as liver-specific [22]. In addition, some conditions like pathologic diseases with high proliferative properties, organ damage, and tumors with high cell turnover can elevate AST rather than ALT [22]. All these variations in levels of ALT and AST make DRR a candidate as a possible biomarker. The use of DRR as a biomarker has been reported previously in the published literature. Tan et al. concluded that a DRR of more than 2.0 might be a useful biomarker for determining survival in distal cholangiocarcinoma [21,22,23]. Dorward et al. [24] reported abnormal anaerobic glycolysis in cancer cells to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Rapid tumor growth is related to increased ATP production, and this is used to determine mechanisms in tumor-specific imaging and antitumor therapy [25]. Increased glycolysis is also related to mitochondrial activities involved with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide enzymes and glucose transporters [26]. Because tumor cells produce ATP faster, they prefer anaerobic glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation [27]. In view of these data, an elevated DRR can be used as one indicator of tumor activity. In the literature, only a few studies have shown a connection between DRR and urologic cancers [28,29,30]. In these studies, the increased DRR was associated with poor prognosis. However, no published study has shown a relationship between DRR and TCa. In the present paper, we showed that an elevated DRR may predict possible metastasis (such as lymph node involvement and metastasis) of TCa. Either our results are parallel to the literature or this is the first study giving eligible proof of metastases in TCa patients with elevated DRR. Additionally, this is related to poor prognostic factors.

Although the current study reported new findings, it had several limitations. First, the study was performed in a retrospective manner and had a small patient population. Second, the DRR can be changed by undetected liver diseases, other diseases, and alcohol consumption, which can affect the levels of ALT and AST. This may suggest a large selection bias. However, this is the first study in the literature on this issue. Additionally, we did not compare perioperative and postoperative DRR. High levels of DRR were related to the presence of TCa. Surgical removal of the tumor, of course, leads to decreased DRR. Third, drug interactions could affect liver functions, leading to increased AST and ALT. Besides, retroperitoneal lymph node involvement and metastases were evaluated in computed tomography scans. Additionally, these were compared after treatments during follow-up. This might suggest a confounding bias. Moreover, we did not perform any molecular study. Furthermore, our results can be considered a pathfinder study in the way of testis-sparing surgery. However, testis-sparing surgery is still under debate. More series with higher patient volume are needed.

This is the first study in the literature that investigated the impact of amino transaminase on the prognosis of patients with TCa before surgery. In addition, AST and ALT are used in clinicians' daily practice. We identified that an increased DRR may be related to worsening prognosis in patients with TCa. Twelve patients died because of TCa; for this reason, we could not perform any survival analysis. Survival analysis should be performed for a larger series of patients in future studies.

CONCLUSIONS

An elevated DRR may be an independent risk factor for retroperitoneal lymph node involvement or metastases in patients with TCa at the time diagnosis, before surgery. If the DRR is higher than 1.30, clinicians should reevaluate to detect possible retroperitoneal lymph node involvement and metastases in TCa. Therefore, clinicians should inform patients before the operation concerning metastases in the case of a DRR <1.30, independent of radiological examinations. Our results need to be confirmed with prospective studies including larger sample sizes, including molecular studies.