GLUT-1(+)/TKTL1(+) coexpression predicts poor outcome in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
Tumor hypoxia is a crucial negative prognostic factor associated with outcome of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).


METHODS
Expression of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1) (solute carrier family 2 [facilitated glucose transporter], member 1 [SLC2A1]) was analyzed in OSCC specimen (n = 161) and cancer cell lines by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. GLUT-1 expression on protein level was correlated with transketolase-like 1 (TKTL1) expression, clinical characteristics, and effect on survival. Subgroup analysis was performed for GLUT-1/TKTL1 coexpression.


RESULTS
GLUT-1 expression was significantly correlated with TKTL1 expression (P < .0001) and recurrence of the tumor (P = .001). Multivariate analysis did not find GLUT-1 expression to be an independent prognostic factor (P = .2478). GLUT-1(+)/TKTL1(+) subgroup showed the worst effect on survival compared with the GLUT-1(-)/TKTL1(-) subgroup (P = .0002).


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides evidence that tumors linked with combined enhanced glucose uptake (GLUT-1(+)) and hypoxia-related glucose metabolism (TKTL1(+)) characteristics (GLUT-1(+)/TKTL1(+) coexpression) are associated with shorter survival in OSCC.
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. Electronic address: dr.dr.martingrimm@googlemail.com.
Martin
M
Grimm
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
Adelheid
A
Munz
Cancer Research Center, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
Peter
P
Teriete
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
Tatjana
T
Nadtotschi
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
Siegmar
S
Reinert
D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D051272:Glucose Transporter Type 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014174:Transketolase / Q000378:metabolism*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D051272:Glucose Transporter Type 1; D014174:Transketolase