Examining prostate tissue to check for amyloid deposits may help identify cases of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), according to a recent study published in the journal Anatomical Pathology.
In ATTR-CM, a protein called transthyretin (TTR) loses its normal shape and forms clumps (called amyloid fibrils), which deposit in the heart and other organs. These clumps cause the heart muscle to stiffen and make it harder for the heart to pump blood.
Researchers from the University of Toyama looked closely at the prostate tissue from 35 men who had been diagnosed with ATTR-CM before their deaths. They found that 83% of these men had TTR amyloid deposits in their prostate.
Importantly, the researchers found a correlation between TTR amyloid deposits in the prostate and the heart: the more amyloid that was in the prostate, the more was also found in the heart.
This link suggests that amyloid deposits in samples of prostate tissue could act as an early warning sign for ATTR-CM. The researchers recommend testing prostate samples from older patients — especially those over 80 who show signs of ATTR-CM — for these protein deposits.
Read more about testing and diagnosis of ATTR-CM
“With prostate cancer being one of the most common malignancies in men and ATTR-CM mainly affecting men over 60 years of age, there is a demographic overlap between patients with ATTR-CM and those undergoing prostate biopsy,” the researchers said. This overlap suggests doctors might use existing prostate samples — originally taken for prostate cancer checks — to spot patients who could be developing ATTR-CM.
While further research is needed, this approach could help catch ATTR-CM earlier and lead to better outcomes. “Early diagnosis is crucial as transthyretin-stabilizing drugs are more effective when treatment begins early,” said the study’s authors.
Interestingly, the researchers also found amyloid deposits in nerves around the prostate — something that has not been reported previously. People with ATTR often experience nerve-related symptoms, and this discovery might help explain those symptoms. However, more research is needed to test this theory.
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