title: Overexpression of transketolase TKTL1 is associated with shorter survival in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas.
abstract: Tumorigenesis involves energy production by aerobic glycolysis ("Warburg effect") in malignant tumors. One of the key enzymes is transketolase. Transketolase, transketolase-like-1 (TKTL1), and transketolase-like-2 are known. Antibodies against TKTL1 exist for immunohistochemical investigations. This study investigated the influence of TKTL1 on survival and metastasizing in 40 laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs, T2-T4, 27 metastasized). Staining was assessed by an immunoreactive score (IRS) with values from 0 to 12 in primaries and their nodal metastases. The highest IRS was 8. Normal epithelium did not show an expression. Three SCCs were negative. Advanced SCCs had a higher IRS than lower stages. An IRS>4 was associated with a shorter disease specific survival, independent on the tumor stage in the multivariate analysis. Significant differences between metastasized and non-metastasized SCCs were absent, but poorly differentiated SCCs had a higher IRS in their metastases than moderate differentiated SCCs. TKTL1 overexpression is associated with a more aggressive behavior and shorter survival of laryngeal SCCs. These observations could lead to additional therapeutic options targeting a blocking of the enzyme activity.
authors.affiliation: Insitute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, 97080, Würzburg, Germany. ullrich.voelker@mail.uni-wuerzburg.de
authors.forename: Hans-Ullrich
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Völker
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scheich
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schmausser
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kämmerer
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000556:secondary; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D015996:Survival Rate; D014174:Transketolase / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C505431:TKTL1 protein, human; D014174:Transketolase