Expression of Glucose Transporters 1 and 3 in Metastatic and Non-Metastatic Lower Lip Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the immunoexpression of glucose transporters 1 (GLUT-1) and 3 (GLUT-3) in metastatic and non-metastatic lower lip squamous cell carcinoma (LLSCC). Twenty LLSCCs with regional nodal metastasis and 20 LLSCCs without metastasis were selected. The distribution of staining and the percentage of GLUT-1 and GLUT-3 staining in each tumor core and at the deep invasive front were assessed. Most tumors (70%) exhibited peripheral staining for GLUT-1 in nests, sheets and islands of neoplastic cells, whereas predominantly central staining was observed for GLUT-3 (72.5%). A high percentage of GLUT-1-positive cells was observed at the deep invasive front and in the tumor core of metastatic and non-metastatic tumors (p>0.05). The percentage of GLUT-1-positive cells was much higher than that of GLUT-3-positive cells both in the deep invasive front (p<0.001) and in the tumor core (p<0.001) of LLSCCs. No significant differences in the percentage of GLUT-1- and GLUT-3-positive cells were observed according to nodal metastasis, clinical stage or histological grade of malignancy (p>0.05). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest an important role of GLUT-1 in glucose uptake in LLSCCs, although this protein does not seem to be involved in the progression of these tumors. On the other hand, GLUT-3 expression may represent a secondary glucose uptake mechanism in LLSCCs.

GLUT-1 Expression in Cutaneous Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinomas

“…This pattern of peripheral staining of GLUT-1 was also observed by others. 14,15,21,22 High percentage of GLUT-1 expression was associated with poorly differentiated SCC, agreeing with Mendez et al 23 Regarding BCC, to our knowledge, we are the first study to demonstrate the expression of GLUT-1 in this common cutaneous malignancy. The current study demonstrated its expression in 62.5% of BCCs, and the expression was seen mainly in the central portion of the malignant basaloid nests, which may be related to focal keratinization in BCC as an indicator of follicular differentiation.…”

“…This pattern of peripheral staining of GLUT-1 was also observed by others. 14,15,21,22 High percentage of GLUT-1 expression was associated with poorly differentiated SCC, agreeing with Mendez et al 23 in cervical SCC and Pinheiro et al 24 in breast carcinoma. The association with high-grade tumors explained the peripheral localization of GLUT-1 in the less-differentiated cells in the periphery of malignant nests of SCC.…”

Immunohistochemical expression of GLUT‐1, GLUT‐3, and carbonic anhydrase IX in benign odontogenic lesions

“…OKs and AMs showed staining in the membrane on 55% of samples; these differences were statistically significant. The results obtained for DC lesions were similar to Demeda et al that verified staining occurred most frequently in the membrane/cytoplasm in the invasion front of squamous cell carcinoma of the lower lip. The study by Salla et al showed similar results with regard to the staining in OK and AM lesions, where the membrane was most commonly stained in samples of peripheral nerve sheath benign oral lesions.…”

“…Overexpression of GLUT‐1 has been found in a series of cancer lesions such as breast, lung, liver, stomach, ovary, bladder, head and neck and oral cancers and has been used as a diagnostic and prognostic tool . In the present study, the expression of GLUT‐1 was observed in all three lesions studied.…”

“…These proteins are stored in specialized endosomes until the cell is stimulated to increase glucose intake . Some studies report that in cancer‐induced malnutrition, overexpression of GLUT‐1 and GLUT‐3 may be involved in mechanisms favoring tumor growth at the expense of the host tissues .…”