GLUT-1 Expression in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Its Significance

INTRODUCTION: Glut-1 is a glucose transporter protein, the expression of which is upregulated in malignant cells which show increased glucose uptake. Glut-1 is a glucose transporter protein which is one of the 14 members of the mammalian facilitative glucose transporter family. Glucose uptake in nearly all cells is mediated by Gluts. Immunohistochemical expression of Glut-1 in malignant cells indicates increased proliferative activity, energy requirements and aggressive behavior. The influence of Glut-1 on prognosis and its use as a biomarker may be a manifestation of tumour hypoxia and the adaptive upregulation of anaerobic glycolysis that may ultimately promote tumour cell survival, suggesting that Glut-1 may be considered to be a negative biomarker of prognosis in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). AIM AND OBJECTIVE: Aim: This study is done to evaluate the expression of Glut-1 in normal and OSCC cases with different clinical stages and histopathological grades to determine the role of Glut-1 as a prognostic marker. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, 20 biopsy specimens of OSCC and 5 normal subjects were included. After obtaining the informed consent from the patients, the history and clinical findings of each patient will be recorded. Histopathologically confirmed cases of OSCC will be included. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using Glut-1 antibody. Three micrometer paraffin embedded sections were used for staining. RESULT: There was significant expression of GLUT-1 in OSCC cases and also significant increase in intensity, percentage and localization of stain was evident with different histological grades of OSCC. And no significant expression was found in normal cases. CONCLUSION: The present study concludes that expression of GLUT-1 can be biomarker for early stages of OSCC. Higher expression of this marker signifies the abundant demand of energy by the cancer cells for increased proliferation and division under hypoxic condition. In recent studies, different drugs are targeted towards GLUT-1 and found to be improving the prognosis and survival rate. Further studies with large samples are essential to justify the clinical potential of GLUT-1 as a prognostic marker assessing risk and prognosis of OSCC