Expression of the GLUT1 glucose transporter in gallbladder carcinomas
Kim, Y.Wha.; Park, Y-Koo.; Yoon, T.Young.; Lee, S.Mok.
Hepato-Gastroenterology 49(46): 907-911
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0172-6390 PMID: 12143238 Document Number: 544169
Background/Aims: It has previously been shown that glucose uptake and use is more prevalent in carcinomas than in normal cells and tissues. We hypothesized that human erythrocyte glucose transporter-1 expression is increased in gallbladder carcinoma and might be correlated with prognostic significance. Methodology: A total of 71 cases of gallbladder carcinomas, 2 cases of gallbladder dysplasia and 20 cases of gallbladder adenomas were examined immunohistochemically to evaluate the expression of glucose transporter-1 protein in the light of their relationship with various prognostic factors. Results: Glucose transporter-1 was stained in the cell membrane of the cancer cells. Adjacent normal mucosa was negative for glucose transporter-1 staining. Thirty-seven gallbladder carcinomas (52.1%) showed positive staining for glucose transporter-1, however only one of the adenomas (5.0%) and none of the dysplasias were positive (P<0.05). There was significant correlation between glucose transporter-1 expression and histologic tumor type, and tumor stage. In the multivariate analysis, tumor stage was statistically significant (P=0.05), but glucose transporter-1 expression was not significant (P=0.07). The mean survival periods of the glucose transporter-1 positive and negative groups were 24 months and 58 months, respectively (P=0.003). Conclusions: Our results suggest that glucose transporter-1 protein expression is strongly associated with neoplastic progression in gallbladder carcinomas, and that glucose transporter-1 expression identifies with a worse prognosis in the patients with gallbladder carcinomas.