Glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1): a potential marker of prognosis in rectal carcinoma?

Abstract

The aim of the study is to evaluate the pattern and level of expression of glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1) in rectal carcinoma in relation to outcome as a potential surrogate marker of tumour hypoxia. Formalin-fixed tumour sections from 43 patients with rectal carcinoma, who had undergone radical resection with curative intent, were immunohistochemically stained for GLUT-1. A mean of three sections per tumour (range 1 -12) were examined. Each section was semiquantitatively scored; 0, no staining; 1, o10%; 2, 10 -50%; 3, 450% and a score given for the whole section, the superficial (luminal) and deep (mural) part of the tumour. Staining was seen in 70% of tumours. Increased staining was noted adjacent to necrosis and ulceration. A diffuse and patchy pattern of staining, with and without colocalisation to necrosis was seen. Patients with high GLUT-1-expressing tumours (score 3 vs 0 -2) had a significantly poorer overall survival (P ¼ 0.041), which was associated with poorer metastasis-free survival with no difference in local control. No significant correlation was seen with other prognostic factors. There was a strong correlation between the score for the superficial and deep parts of the tumour (r ¼ 0.81), but a significant relationship with outcome was only found in the deep part (P ¼ 0.003 vs P ¼ 0.46). In conclusion, increased GLUT-1 expression in rectal tumours was an adverse prognostic factor and is worth further evaluation as a predictive marker of response to therapy.

GLUT-1 immunoexpression in oral epithelial dysplasia, oral squamous cell carcinoma, and verrucous carcinoma

“…In OSCC, the percentage of cells showing GLUT-1 immunostaining increased with advancing grade, in agreement with previous studies of colorectal and rectal carcinomas where the percentage of positivity increased with the carcinoma grade (17)(18)(19). GLUT-1 regulates glucose influx into cancer cells, assisting in energy preservation, especially in weakly perfused/hypoxic regions characterized by an inadequate supply of glucose.…”

“…Examination of the glycogen content to establish whether any alterations in glucose uptake are related to tumor-associated changes revealed that glycogen was more abundant in nondividing cells of the superficial layers of benign cervical epithelium. Accordingly, it seems that reduced glycogen levels are significantly associated with increased expression of GLUT-1 as the grade of dysplasia increases (14,17,18).…”

Glucose transporter Glut-1 is detectable in peri-necrotic regions in many human tumor types but not normal tissues: Study using tissue microarrays

“…Glut-1 is over-expressed and predicts poor prognosis in a wide range of tumors including those of the head and neck (Oliver et al, 2004), colorectum (Cooper et al, 2003), breast (Younes et al, 1995), cervix (Airley et al, 2001) and clear cell renal carcinoma (Ozcan et al, 2007). The influence of Glut-1 on prognosis and its use as a biomarker may be a manifestation of tumor hypoxia, and the adaptive upregulation of anaerobic glycolysis that may ultimately promote tumour cell survival.…”

GLUT1 Expression Is Increased in Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Promotes Tumorigenesis

“…Actually, Glut1 protein expression confers poor prognosis in a wide range of solid tumors. 11,12 Studies regarding GLUT1 expression in HCC have revealed inconclusive results, and the biological significance of GLUT1 expression in HCC remains unknown. [13][14][15][16][17][18][19] Here, we show that GLUT1 expression is increased in a significant number of HCC cell lines and tissues, and high GLUT1 expression correlates with HCC proliferation and invasiveness.…”