Prognostic value of GLUT-1 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma: A prisma-compliant meta-analysis

Prognostic Factors in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate current evidence on prognostic factors in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs), through a comprehensive meta-analysis of a total of 255 primary-level studies (63,114 patients).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched before January 2024. The risk of bias was analyzed using the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool.

RESULTS

Among the main influential parameters have been lymph node involvement in any of the measured forms, cN (overall survival: HR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.98-2.45, p < 0.001; disease-specific survival: HR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.44-2.65, p < 0.05; disease-free survival: HR = 2.13, 95% CI = 1.77-2.56, p < 0.001), pN (overall survival: HR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.64-2.54, p < 0.001; disease-specific survival: HR = 2.83, 95% CI = 1.68-4.77, p < 0.001; disease-free survival: HR = 2.73, 95% CI = 1.96-3.81, p < 0.001) and extracapsular spread (overall survival: HR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.81-2.47, p < 0.001; disease-specific survival: HR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.43-3.03, p < 0.001; disease-free survival: HR = 2.27, 95% CI = 1.92-2.69, p < 0.001). In relation to the T-parameter, invasion depth greater than 5 mm strongly influenced mortality (overall survival: HR = 3.19, 95% CI = 1.74-5.84, p < 0.001; disease-free survival: HR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.22-3.20, p = 0.006). The M parameter has been the most relevant negative prognostic factor-although with less robust results due to the lack of primary level studies: cM (overall survival: HR = 2.95, 95% CI = 2.09-4.17, p < 0.001; disease-specific survival: HR = 6.26, 95% CI = 1.54-25.42, p = 0.01; disease-free survival: HR = 2.78, 95% CI = 1.57-4.93, p < 0.001); pM (overall survival: HR = 5.19, 95% CI = 1.94-13.90, p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of death and recurrence is increased if the diagnosis is achieved when the neck nodes are affected, the tumor is large, or has given rise to distant metastases, which points to the imperative need to implement measures for improving the early diagnosis of the disease by acting on all the actors responsible for the diagnostic delay of OSCC.

Aspartate-β-hydroxylase and hypoxia marker expression in head and neck carcinomas: implications for HPV-associated tumors

BACKGROUND

A proportion of head and neck carcinomas (HNSCCs) are induced by high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) and are associated with better patient outcomes compared to patients with HNSCCs related to tobacco and alcohol abuse. In the microenvironment of solid tumors, including HNSCCs, oxygen levels are often reduced, and a hypoxic state is induced. This can lead to a poor treatment response and a worse patient prognosis. One of the hypoxia-responsive genes is aspartate-β-hydroxylase (ASPH), whose activity promotes the growth, invasiveness, and metastasis of many types of solid tumors.

METHODS

In our study, HNSCC samples were analyzed for the expression of ASPH and selected endogenous hypoxia markers by real-time PCR and/or multiplex fluorescence immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Except for the EPAS1 gene, which had higher mRNA expression in the HPV-negative group of HNSCC (p < 0.05), we found no other differences in the expression of the tested genes that were related to HPV status. On the contrary, a statistically significantly higher number of cells producing ASPH (p < 0.0001), HIF1A (p < 0.0001), GLUT1 (p < 0.0001), and MMP13 (p < 0.05) proteins were detected in the HPV-positive tumor group than in the HPV-negative sample group. All the evaluated markers, except for MMP9/13, were more abundant in the tumor parenchyma than in the tumor stroma. The Cox proportional hazard models showed that increased numbers of cells with GLUT1 and HIF1A protein expression were positive prognostic markers for overall and disease-specific survival in patients independent of HPV tumor status.

CONCLUSION

The study examined HNSCC samples and found that elevated ASPH and hypoxia marker proteins, typically associated with poor prognosis, may actually indicate active HPV infection, the strongest prognostic factor in HNSCC patients. In cases where HPV status is uncertain, increased expression of HIF1A and GLUT1 can serve as positive prognostic factors.

A PRISMA meta-analysis for diagnostic value of microRNA-21 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma along with bioinformatics research

OBJECTIVES

The use of miR-21 expression remains vague in diagnosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This study aimed to systematically evaluate the diagnostic potential of the miR-21 expression in patients with HNSCCs through investigating and summarizing the results reported in the literature.

METHODS

Extant medical databases were examined for articles of clinical study assessing the miR-21 expression in HNSCC cases, published in the past 20 years. Bioinformatics research was also performed for finding miR-21 targets differentially expressed in HNSCC so as to present their biological behaviors.

RESULTS

Our meta-analysis comprised 11 studies including 622/450 cases in HNSCC/control group. Forest plots displayed miR-21 which possessed significantly good specificity (0.76, p < 0.001) and sensitivity (0.80, p < 0.001). Diagnostic odds ratio was 2.46 (95% CI 1.87-3.24). Positive and negative likelihood ratio was 3.40 (95% CI 1.94-5.97) and 0.26 (95% CI 0.18-0.38), respectively. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.85.

CONCLUSION

This study is the highest level of evidence presently available in diagnosing HNSCC. This PRISMA meta-analysis indicated that the pooled results were robust, confirming the oncogenic potential of miR-21 that could be used successfully as a screening biomarker in HNSCC patients. Specifically, the overexpression of miR-21 in these patients presents a worse survival outcome.

Tumour response to hypoxia: understanding the hypoxic tumour microenvironment to improve treatment outcome in solid tumours

Hypoxia is a common feature of solid tumours affecting their biology and response to therapy. One of the main transcription factors activated by hypoxia is hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), which regulates the expression of genes involved in various aspects of tumourigenesis including proliferative capacity, angiogenesis, immune evasion, metabolic reprogramming, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling, and cell migration. This can negatively impact patient outcomes by inducing therapeutic resistance. The importance of hypoxia is clearly demonstrated by continued research into finding clinically relevant hypoxia biomarkers, and hypoxia-targeting therapies. One of the problems is the lack of clinically applicable methods of hypoxia detection, and lack of standardisation. Additionally, a lot of the methods of detecting hypoxia do not take into consideration the complexity of the hypoxic tumour microenvironment (TME). Therefore, this needs further elucidation as approximately 50% of solid tumours are hypoxic. The ECM is important component of the hypoxic TME, and is developed by both cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumour cells. However, it is important to distinguish the different roles to develop both biomarkers and novel compounds. Fibronectin (FN), collagen (COL) and hyaluronic acid (HA) are important components of the ECM that create ECM fibres. These fibres are crosslinked by specific enzymes including lysyl oxidase (LOX) which regulates the stiffness of tumours and induces fibrosis. This is partially regulated by HIFs. The review highlights the importance of understanding the role of matrix stiffness in different solid tumours as current data shows contradictory results on the impact on therapeutic resistance. The review also indicates that further research is needed into identifying different CAF subtypes and their exact roles; with some showing pro-tumorigenic capacity and others having anti-tumorigenic roles. This has made it difficult to fully elucidate the role of CAFs within the TME. However, it is clear that this is an important area of research that requires unravelling as current strategies to target CAFs have resulted in worsened prognosis. The role of immune cells within the tumour microenvironment is also discussed as hypoxia has been associated with modulating immune cells to create an anti-tumorigenic environment. Which has led to the development of immunotherapies including PD-L1. These hypoxia-induced changes can confer resistance to conventional therapies, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the impact of hypoxia on the TME and its implications for therapy resistance. It also discusses the potential of hypoxia biomarkers as prognostic and predictive indictors of treatment response, as well as the challenges and opportunities of targeting hypoxia in clinical trials.

Role and regulation of GLUT1/3 during oral cancer progression and therapy resistance

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine whether glucose transporter-1/3 (GLUT1/3) increased expression could contribute to oral tumor severity. Furthermore, this study detected whether GLUT1/3 mRNA/protein was associated with oncogenic transcription factors (HIF1α, AP1 and NFκB) and whether by blocking GLUT1 along with cisplatin could sensitize drug-resistant OSCC cells.

DESIGN

We used 120 post-operated human tissue samples, including 35 primary tumors (PT), 43 invasive tumors (N1-3), 17 recurrent chemoradiation-resistant tumors (RCRT), and 25 PT-adjacent normal tissues (AN). The cisplatin-resistant (CisR-SCC4/9) cells were generated using a drug escalation strategy from parental SCC4/9 cells. The BAY-876 treatment blocked GLUT1 in OSCC cells. Western Blot, Immunohistochemistry, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to detect various proteins and mRNA. Cell survival was determined by MTT assay.

RESULTS

GLUT1/3 expression was observed more in PT over AN tissue (PT > AN), N1-3 > PT, and .RCRT > PT. GLUT1 expression was maximum in the RCRT group and CisR-SCC4/9 cells over their parental counterpart, linked with tumor size (p=0.0037) and loco-regional invasiveness (p=0.0422). GLUT1/3 mRNA/protein was correlated (positively) with oncogenic transcription factors (TFs) like HIF1α, AP1 and NFκB. We found the degree of positive correlation of these TFs with GLUT1/3 was in the order c-Jun > HIF1α > Fra-2 > NFκB > c-Fos. Treatment of BAY-876 and cisplatin-induced cell death in both CisR-SCC4/9 cells, possibly by triggering apoptosis and autophagy.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, our results demonstrated increased GLUT1/3 overexpression linked with oral tumor severity like invasion and therapy resistance, and it was powered mainly by c-Jun (AP1). Blocking GLUT1 receptors and cisplatin application can sensitize CisR-OSCC cells.

Hallmarks of Cancer Applied to Oral and Oropharyngeal Carcinogenesis: A Scoping Review of the Evidence Gaps Found in Published Systematic Reviews

In 2000 and 2011, Hanahan and Weinberg published two papers in which they defined the characteristics that cells must fulfil in order to be considered neoplastic cells in all types of tumours that affect humans, which the authors called "hallmarks of cancer". These papers have represented a milestone in our understanding of the biology of many types of cancers and have made it possible to reach high levels of scientific evidence in relation to the prognostic impact that these hallmarks have on different tumour types. However, to date, there is no study that globally analyses evidence-based knowledge on the importance of these hallmarks in oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas. For this reason, we set out to conduct this scoping review of systematic reviews with the aim of detecting evidence gaps in relation to the relevance of the cancer hallmarks proposed by Hanahan and Weinberg in oral and oropharyngeal cancer, and oral potentially malignant disorders, and to point out future lines of research in this field.

Assessment of the association of OCT3/4 with GLUT1 and CD105 in oral squamous cell carcinoma using dual immunohistochemistry

Background

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common cancer affecting the oral and maxillofacial region. This study aimed to investigate the role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in angiogenesis and hypoxic response in OSCC.

Methods

This retrospective observational study evaluated 56 cases of OSCC using dual immunohistochemistry. Octamer-binding transcription factor 3/4 (OCT3/4) marker was used to evaluate CSC activity. Glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) marker was used to evaluate the hypoxic response and angiogenesis, while endoglin (CD105) was used to evaluate the late stage of angiogenesis and blood vessel formation.

Results

Co-expression of OCT3/4 and GLUT1 was noted in 11 of 12 patients with grade III OSCC. However, we did not observe co-expression of these markers in 13 of 22 patients with grade I OSCC. Although we observed a significant correlation between co-expression of GLUT1 and OCT3/4 and tumor grade, there was no significant correlation between co-expression of OCT3/4 and CD105 and different grades of OSCC.

Conclusions

CSCs could play important roles in the initial stages of hypoxic response and angiogenesis. Our result reported that in higher grades of OSCC, GLUT1 as a first response to hypoxic situations might be a result of CSCs. Further studies are required to discover other biomarkers, their roles, and associated pathways of CSCs in OSCC.

Essential role of aerobic glycolysis in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition during carcinogenesis

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) confers the most lethal characteristics to cancer cells i.e., metastasis and resistance to chemo-and-radio-therapy, and therefore exhibit an appealing target in the field of oncology. Research in the past decade has demonstrated the crucial role of aerobic glycolysis in EMT, which is generally credited as the glucose metabolism for the creation of biomass such as fatty acids, amino acids, and nucleotides thereby providing building blocks for limitless proliferation. In the present review, apart from discussing EMT's evident role in the metastatic process and cancer stemness, we also talked about the vital role of glycolytic enzymes viz. GLUTs, HKs, PGI, PFK-1, aldolase, enolase, PK, LDHA, etc. in the induction of the EMT process in cancerous cells.

Metabolic Regulation of Lysine Acetylation: Implications in Cancer

Lysine acetylation is the second most well-studied post-translational modification after phosphorylation. While phosphorylation regulates signaling cascades, one of the most significant roles of acetylation is regulation of chromatin structure. Acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) serves as the acetyl group donor for acetylation reactions mediated by lysine acetyltransferases (KATs). On the other hand, NAD+ serves as the cofactor for lysine deacetylases (KDACs). Both acetyl-CoA and NAD+ are metabolites integral to energy metabolism, and therefore, their metabolic flux can regulate the activity of KATs and KDACs impacting the epigenome. In this chapter, we review our current understanding of how metabolic pathways regulate lysine acetylation in normal and cancer cells.

Overexpression of miR-340 inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis of human bladder cancer via targeting Glut-1

Background

Bladder cancer (BC) has high mortality due to distant metastasis. Previous works suggested that microRNA (miRNA)-340 is a critical regulator for the development and progression of various cancers. The specific biological function of miR-340 in BC is little known.

Methods

In the present study, RT-qPCR was performed to measure the expression of miR-340 in paired BC tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues. Next, the target gene of miR-340 was identified using dual-luciferase reporter assay and its level was also tested in tissues. Moreover, cell proliferation and apoptosis were analyzed by CCK-8 and flow cytometry. Finally, the expression of PCNA, Bax was detected by RT-qPCR and western blotting, as well as PI3K/AKT signaling measured by western blotting.

Result

The results demonstrated that miR-340 expression was downregulated and its target Glut-1 level was upregulated in BC tissues. Functionally, overexpression of miR-340 suppressed the proliferation and induced apoptosis in BC cells, while Glut-1 reversed the suppression of proliferation or induction of apoptosis induced by miR-340. Additionally, miR-340 repressed PCNA, p-PI3K and p-AKT levels but enhanced Bax level, while Glut-1 rescued the effects.

Conclusion

In conclusion, miR-340 functions as a tumor suppressor of BC, which inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis by targeting Glut-1 partly through regulating PCNA, Bax expression and PI3K/AKT pathway. This study suggested that miR-340 is a potential target for the treatment of BC.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12894-021-00935-z.

Correlation between tumor voxel dose response matrix and tumor biomarker profile in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

We have developed a novel imaging analysis procedure that is highly predictive of local failure after chemoradiation in head and neck cancer. In this study we investigated whether any pretreatment biomarkers correlated with key imaging parameters.

METHODS

Pretreatment biopsy material was available for 28 patients entered into an institutional trial of adaptive radiotherapy in which FDG-PET images were collected weekly during treatment. The biopsies were immunohistochemically stained for CD44, EGFR, GLUT1, ALDH1, Ki-67 and p53 and quantified using image analysis. Expression levels were correlated with previously derived imaging parameters, the pretreatment SUV_max and the dose response matrix (DRM).

RESULTS

The different parameters of the SUV_max and DRM did not correlate with each other. We observed a positive and highly significant (p = 0.0088) correlation between CD44 expression and volume of tumor with a DRM greater than 0.8. We found no correlation between any DRM parameter and GLUT1, p53, Ki-67 and EGFR or ALDH1. GLUT1 expression did correlate with the maximum SUV₀ and the volume of tumor with an SUV₀ greater than 20.

CONCLUSIONS

The pretreatment SUV_max and DRM are independent imaging parameters that combine to predict local recurrence. The significant correlation between CD44 expression, a known cancer stem cell (CSC) marker, and volume of tumor with a DRM greater than 0.8 is consistent with concept that specific foci of cells are responsible for tumor recurrence and that CSCs may be randomly distributed in tumors in specific niches. Dose painting these small areas may lead to improved tumor control.

Metabolic Classification and Intervention Opportunities for Tumor Energy Dysfunction

A comprehensive view of cell metabolism provides a new vision of cancer, conceptualized as tissue with cellular-altered metabolism and energetic dysfunction, which can shed light on pathophysiological mechanisms. Cancer is now considered a heterogeneous ecosystem, formed by tumor cells and the microenvironment, which is molecularly, phenotypically, and metabolically reprogrammable. A wealth of evidence confirms metabolic reprogramming activity as the minimum common denominator of cancer, grouping together a wide variety of aberrations that can affect any of the different metabolic pathways involved in cell physiology. This forms the basis for a new proposed classification of cancer according to the altered metabolic pathway(s) and degree of energy dysfunction. Enhanced understanding of the metabolic reprogramming pathways of fatty acids, amino acids, carbohydrates, hypoxia, and acidosis can bring about new therapeutic intervention possibilities from a metabolic perspective of cancer.

Prognostic value of glycolysis markers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a meta-analysis

Glycolysis markers including glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4), hexokinase 2 (HK2), pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) play vital roles in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, their prognostic value in HNSCC is still controversial. In this meta-analysis, we searched the PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases and included thirty-seven studies (3272 patients) that met the inclusion criteria. Higher expression levels of the glycolysis markers in tumor tissues correlated with poorer overall survival (OS; P < 0.001), disease-free survival (DFS; P = 0.03) and recurrence-free survival (RFS; P < 0.001) of HNSCC patients. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses demonstrated that higher expression levels of GLUT1 (P < 0.001), MCT4 (P = 0.002), HK2 (P = 0.002) and PKM2 (P < 0.001) correlated with poorer OS among HNSCC patients. Higher expression of MCT4 (P < 0.001) and PKM2 (P = 0.008) predicted poorer DFS among HNSCC patients. However, GLUT4 expression levels did not associate with clinical outcomes in HNSCC patients. These results demonstrate that glycolysis markers, such as GLUT1, MCT4, HK2 and PKM2, are potential prognostic predictors and therapeutic targets in HNSCC.

Glycolytic pathway candidate markers in the prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Molecular changes that affect mitochondrial glycolysis have been associated with the maintenance of tumor cells. Some metabolic factors have already been described as predictors of disease severity and outcomes. This systematic review was conducted to answer the question: Is the glycolytic pathway correlated with the prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)? A search strategy was developed to retrieve studies in English from PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science using keywords related to squamous cell carcinoma, survival, and glycolytic pathway, with no restriction of publication date. The search retrieved 1273 publications. After the titles and abstracts were analyzed, 27 studies met inclusion criteria. Studies were divided into groups according to two subtopics, glycolytic pathways and diagnosis, which describe the glycolytic profile of OSCC tumors. Several components of tumor energy metabolism found in this review are important predictors of survival of patients with OSCC.

Current Understanding of the HIF-1-Dependent Metabolism in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the 10th most frequent human malignancy and is thus a global burden. Despite some progress in diagnosis and therapy, patients' overall survival rate, between 40 and 55%, has stagnated over the last four decades. Since the tumor node metastasis (TNM) system is not precise enough to predict the disease outcome, additive factors for diagnosis, prognosis, prediction and therapy resistance are urgently needed for OSCC. One promising candidate is the hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), which functions as an early regulator of tumor aggressiveness and is a key promoter of energy adaptation. Other parameters comprise the composition of the tumor microenvironment, which determines the availability of nutrients and oxygen. In our opinion, these general processes are linked in the pathogenesis of OSCC. Based on this assumption, the review will summarize the major features of the HIF system-induced activities, its target proteins and related pathways of nutrient utilization and metabolism that are essential for the initiation, progression and therapeutic stratification of OSCC.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of glucose transporters in melanocytic lesions

We have previously reported increased glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) expression in melanoma compared to benign nevi, associated with a significantly lower survival rate. GLUT1 upregulation was highly specific for distinguishing melanoma from benign nevi, yet poorly sensitive, likely because of expression of other GLUT isoforms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate GLUT2 and GLUT3, as melanoma biomarkers. A tissue microarray, consisting of 91 primary melanomas, 18 melanoma metastases, and 56 nevi, was examined using GLUT2 and GLUT3 immunohistochemistry. A semiquantitative scoring method was used to determine the percentage of positive tumor cells and staining intensity. GLUT2 was negative in all melanomas and benign nevi examined. Increased GLUT3 expression was more frequent in melanoma than in nevi (P < 0.0001), and in metastatic melanoma than in primary melanomas (P < 0.001). Of melanoma cases, 85.3% expressed either GLUT1 or GLUT3 or both, 39.4% of melanoma cases coexpressed GLUT1 and GLUT3, 17.4% of melanoma cases only expressed GLUT1, 28.4% of melanoma cases only expressed GLUT3, and 14.7% of melanoma cases were negative for both markers. Patients whose melanoma exhibited a high level of GLUT3 had significantly lower survival rates than those with low GLUT3 expression (P = 0.002). Evaluating both GLUT1 and GLUT3 increased the diagnostic value by increasing the sensitivity while the specificity remained high. In conclusion, GLUT2 was not expressed in melanocytes. GLUT3 expression was upregulated in melanoma compared with nevi, especially in those with worse prognosis. Similar to GLUT1, GLUT3 may serve as a useful diagnostic and prognostic marker.

Immunometabolism: new insights and lessons from antigen-directed cellular immune responses

Modulation of immune responses by nutrients is an important area of study in cellular biology and clinical sciences in the context of cancer therapies and anti-pathogen-directed immune responses in health and disease. We review metabolic pathways that influence immune cell function and cellular persistence in chronic infections. We also highlight the role of nutrients in altering the tissue microenvironment with lessons from the tumor microenvironment that shapes the quality and quantity of cellular immune responses. Multiple layers of biological networks, including the nature of nutritional supplements, the genetic background, previous exposures, and gut microbiota status have impact on cellular performance and immune competence against molecularly defined targets. We discuss how immune metabolism determines the differentiation pathway of antigen-specific immune cells and how these insights can be explored to devise better strategies to strengthen anti-pathogen-directed immune responses, while curbing unwanted, non-productive inflammation.

Can Increased Metabolic Status be a Grading Tool for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma? A Glucose Transporter 1 Immunoexpression Study

Background:

Glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1) is a GLUT protein whose expression is upregulated in malignant cells where enhanced uptake of glucose is observed.

Aim:

The aim of this study is to evaluate the expression of GLUT-1 protein in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tissue sections using immunohistochemistry and to describe the relationship between increased metabolic status and the grades of OSCC.

Materials and Methods:

This is cross-sectional study with 76 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of OSCC, obtained from the archives of the department. All the cases were scored using Bryne's grading system by three oral pathologists independently. The tissue sections were then stained using immunohistochemistry with anti-GLUT-1 rabbit monoclonal antibody.

Results:

Staining intensity and localization of positively stained slides were evaluated. Overall, a significant correlation between Bryne's histopathological grading system for OSCC and GLUT-1 immunohistochemical expression was observed. Thus, high GLUT-1 expressions are observed with increasing grades of OSCC.

Conclusion:

This study shows that a significant positive correlation exists between GLUT-1 immunoexpression and histological grading of OSCC. Thus, GLUT-1 expression can be used as a diagnostic adjunct and prognostic marker for OSCC patients.

CD147 promotes glucose metabolism, invasion and metastasis via PI3K/AKT pathway in oral squamous cell carcinomas

Background

The incidence of oral cancers, especially that of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), has increased significantly in the last few decades. Aggressive tumor progression and metastasis are the key factors responsible for the high mortality rate associated with OSCC. CD147 is known to play a key role in tumor metastasis and is associated with poor prognosis in oral cancer. It is also a crucial regulator of glucose metabolism in cancer cells. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of CD147 on OSCC invasiveness, metastasis and glucose metabolism, as well as the underlying mechanism.

Methods

CD147 was knocked down in the human OSCC lines SCC-25 and CAL-27, and both the wild-type and knockdown cells were then stably transfected with PI3K cDNA. Glucose metabolism and in vitro migration of the OSCC cells were respectively analyzed by glucose uptake and lactate secretion assays, and transwell assay.

Results

Knocking down CD147 in the OSCC cells significantly reduced their migration, and decreased glucose metabolism. The inhibitory effects of blocking CD147 were reversed upon PI3K overexpression.

Conclusions

CD147 mediates its oncogenic effects via the PI3K/AKT pathway, and is a potential prognostic factor and therapeutic target for OSCC.

Drugging cancer metabolism: Expectations vs. reality

As compared to their normal counterparts, neoplastic cells exhibit a variety of metabolic changes that reflect not only genetic and epigenetic defects underlying malignant transformation, but also the nutritional and immunobiological conditions of the tumor microenvironment. Such alterations, including the so-called Warburg effect (an increase in glucose uptake largely feeding anabolic and antioxidant metabolism), have attracted considerable attention as potential targets for the development of novel anticancer therapeutics. However, very few drugs specifically conceived to target bioenergetic cancer metabolism are currently approved by regulatory agencies for use in humans. This reflects the elevated degree of heterogeneity and redundancy in the metabolic circuitries exploited by neoplastic cells from different tumors (even of the same type), as well as the resemblance of such metabolic pathways to those employed by highly proliferating normal cells. Here, we summarize the major metabolic alterations that accompany oncogenesis, the potential of targeting bioenergetic metabolism for cancer therapy, and the obstacles that still prevent the clinical translation of such a promising therapeutic paradigm.

Associations between GLUT expression and SUV values derived from FDG-PET in different tumors-A systematic review and meta analysis

PURPOSE

Fluorodeoxyglucose-Positron-emission tomography (FDG-PET), quantified by standardized uptake values (SUV), is one of the most used functional imaging modality in clinical routine. It is widely acknowledged to be strongly associated with Glucose-transporter family (GLUT)-expression in tumors, which mediates the glucose uptake into cells. The present systematic review sought to elucidate the association between GLUT 1 and 3 expression with SUV values in various tumors.

METHODS

MEDLINE library was screened for associations between FDG-PET parameters and GLUT correlation cancer up to October 2018.

RESULTS

There were 53 studies comprising 2291 patients involving GLUT 1 expression and 11 studies comprising 405 patients of GLUT 3 expression. The pooled correlation coefficient for GLUT 1 was r = 0.46 (95% CI 0.40-0.52), for GLUT 3 was r = 0.35 (95%CI 0.24-0.46). Thereafter, subgroup analyses were performed. The highest correlation coefficient for GLUT 1 was found in pancreatic cancer r = 0.60 (95%CI 0.46-0.75), the lowest was identified in colorectal cancer with r = 0.21 (95% CI -0.57-0.09).

CONCLUSION

An overall only moderate association was found between GLUT 1 expression and SUV values derived from FDG-PET. The correlation coefficient with GLUT 3 was weaker. Presumably, the underlying mechanisms of glucose hypermetabolism in tumors are more complex and not solely depended on the GLUT expression.

Tobacco and oral squamous cell carcinoma: A review of carcinogenic pathways

INTRODUCTION

Tobacco is one of the most important risk factors for premature death globally. More than 60 toxic chemicals in tobacco can invade the body’s various systems. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a pathological type of oral cancer, accounting for over 90% of oral cancers. A vast quantity of scientific, clinical and epidemiological data shows that tobacco is associated with the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma, and its carcinogenic pathways may be complicated.

METHODS

We conducted a thorough electronic search by Cochrane, EMBASE and PubMed to identify relevant studies. Studies published up to the end of October 2018 were included. After assessing and selecting articles based on eligibility criteria, studies were classified and elaborated according to the pathogenesis.

RESULTS

Tobacco as an important risk factor can cause epigenetic alteration of oral epithelial cells, inhibit multiple systemic immune functions of the host, and its toxic metabolites can cause oxidative stress on tissues and induce OSCC. In addition, some specific viruses such as EBV and HPV are thought to play a role in the development of OSCC.

CONCLUSIONS

Oral cancer ranks eighth among the most common causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and tobacco is one the most important carcinogenic factors of OSCC. This review of the literature attempts to provide directions and ideas for future related research, and emphasizes the need for efforts to reduce tobacco consumption.

The prognostic value of GLUT1 in cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Increased glycolysis is one of the hallmarks of cancer. The abnormal expression of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) was reported to be associated with resistance to current therapy and poor prognosis. Numerous studies have investigated the correlation between GLUT1 expression and prognosis in cancers, but the conclusions are still controversial. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis to explore the association between GLUT1 and survival in human cancers. PubMed, Springer, Medline, and Cochrane Library were searched carefully to identify eligible studies evaluating prognostic value of GLUT1 in cancers. Twenty-seven studies with 4079 patients were included in the present study. Our pooled results identified that increased expression of GLUT1 was associated with unfavorable overall survival (HR = 1.780, 95% CI = 1.574–.013, p < 0.001)) and poorer disease-free survival (HR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.229–3.095, p = 0.003). Furthermore, overexpression of GLUT1 linked with poor differentiated tumors (RR = 1.380, 95% CI = 1.086–1.755, p = 0.009; I² = 72.0%, p < 0.001), positive lymph node metastasis (RR = 1.395, 95% CI = 1.082–1.799, p = 0.010; I² = 70.8%, p = 0.002) and larger tumor size (RR = 1.405, 95% CI = 1.231–1.603, p < 0.001; I² = 37.3%, p = 0.093). This systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that the GLUT1 may serve as an ideal prognostic biomarker in various cancers.

Glucose transporter-1 as an independent prognostic marker for cancer: a meta-analysis

Objective

Glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1) as the major glucose transporter present in human cells is found overexpressed in a proportion of human malignancies. This meta-analysis is attempted to assess the prognostic significance of GLUT-1 for survival in various cancers.

Materials and Methods

We conducted an electronic search using the databases PubMed, Embase and Web of Science, from inception to Oct 20th, 2016. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

Results

Fourty-one studies with a total of 4794 patients were included. High GLUT-1 expression was significantly associated with poorer prognosis [overall survival: HR = 1.833 (95% CI: 1.597–2.069, P < 0.0001); disease-free survival: HR = 1.838 (95% CI: 1.264–2.673, P < 0.0001); progression-free survival: HR = 2.451 (95% CI: 1.668–3.233, P < 0.0001); disease specific survival: HR = 1.96 (95% CI: 1.05–2.871, P < 0.0001)].

Conclusions

High GLUT-1 expression may be an independent prognostic marker to predict poor survival in various types of cancers. Further clinical trials with high quality need to be conducted to confirm our conclusion.

Erratum: Prognostic value of GLUT-1 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma: A prisma-compliant meta-analysis: Erratum

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000005324.].