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). Study Design. 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.