The significance of De Ritis (aspartate transaminase/alanine transaminase) ratio in predicting pathological outcomes and prognosis in localized prostate cancer patients

Purpose To illustrate whether De Ritis (aspartate transaminase-AST/alanine transaminase-ALT) ratio is useful in risk stratification of localized prostate cancer and propose an easy predictive model for biochemical recurrence-free survival (BCRFS). Methods In total, 438 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy were included in this study. Blood samples including AST and ALT were collected 1–7 days before surgery. An elevated AST and ALT value was defined as over 40 or 56 IU/L. Results The median AST and ALT value was 18.5 (16–22) and 14 (11–18) IU/L. In total, 15 patients (3.4%) and 9 patients (2.1%) exhibited elevated AST value and ALT value. The median De Ritis ratio was 1.33 (1.11–1.60), and ROC curve indicated the best cutoff of 1.325 in predicting the occurrence of biochemical recurrence. Higher De Ritis ratio was found to be related to older age ( p < 0.001), higher tumor stages ( p < 0.001) and Gleason Score ( p < 0.001), presence of seminal invasion ( p < 0.001), positive surgical margin ( p < 0.001) and lymph node metastasis ( p = 0.003). Multivariate logistic regression confirmed that De Ritis ratio was an independent predictor for final Gleason Score ( p < 0.001), and multivariate Cox regression demonstrated De Ritis ratio as an independent risk factor for BCRFS. A simple predictive model which incorporated De Ritis ratio, pathological tumor stage and final Gleason Score could help risk stratification for BCRFS. Conclusion Higher De Ritis ratio could be predictive for worse pathological outcomes and higher BCR in localized prostate cancer patients. A predictive model which incorporates De Ritis ratio, Gleason Score and pathological tumor stage could help risk stratification for BCRFS.