Expression of glucose transporters in epithelial ovarian carcinoma: correlation with clinical characteristics and tumor angiogenesis

Oncol Rep. 2007 Aug;18(2):361-7.

Abstract

We immunohistochemically examined the expression of the glucose transporters (GLUT)1, GLUT3 and GLUT4, in 154 tumor samples of epithelial ovarian carcinoma. In addition, we investigated the correlations between the expression of GLUTs and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and microvessel count and clinical parameters. The rates of expression of GLUT1, GLUT3 and GLUT4 were 98.7%, 92.8% and 84.4%, respectively. GLUT1 and GLUT4 were both strongly expressed in serous adenocarcinoma, but weakly expressed in clear cell adenocarcinoma. The expressions of GLUT1 and GLUT4 correlated with the clinical disease stage. The expressions of GLUT1, GLUT3 and GLUT4 correlated positively with VEGF expression. The expression status for GLUT1, GLUT3, GLUT4 and VEGF did not represent a prognostic factor. These findings suggest that characteristic differences in the patterns of glucose uptake can exist according to the histological type and that GLUT1, GLUT3 and GLUT4 could be related to tumor angiogenesis in epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / metabolism
  • Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell / pathology
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / metabolism
  • Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / pathology
  • Epithelial Cells / pathology
  • Female
  • Glucose Transporter Type 1 / biosynthesis*
  • Glucose Transporter Type 3 / biosynthesis*
  • Glucose Transporter Type 4 / biosynthesis*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Prognosis
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / analysis

Substances

  • Glucose Transporter Type 1
  • Glucose Transporter Type 3
  • Glucose Transporter Type 4
  • SLC2A1 protein, human
  • SLC2A3 protein, human
  • SLC2A4 protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A