Immunohistochemical Expression of Glucose Transporter-1 in Oral Epithelial Dysplasia and Different Grades of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background and

Objectives: Glucose Transporter-1 (GLUT1) is the key target gene for hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), which helps cells uptake glucose during cell division, malignant transformation, and nutrient depletion. Cancer hypoxia is a well-known condition caused by an oxygen imbalance in the cancer microenvironment. During chronic hypoxia, certain cancer cells can survive and adapt. These cellular alterations can make cancer more aggressive, causing invasion and metastasis. The study investigated the presence of GLUT1 in oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) and various histopathological grades of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) to assess the significance of GLUT1 as a prognostic indicator. Material and

Methods: A total of 40 samples of tissue blocks, including 5 cases of normal oral mucosa, 5 cases of epithelial dysplasia, and 30 cases of OSCC with 10 cases each of well-differentiated, moderately differentiated, and poorly differentiated OSCCs, these cases were diagnosed using the Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining technique. GLUT1 expression was assessed using immunohistochemical staining, which involved evaluating the location of the stain and the percentage of staining.

Results: The mean area percent was highest in poorly differentiated cases (47.37) and lowest in well-differentiated cases (13.42). In poorly differentiated cases, diffuse expression was observed in almost all malignant cells, exhibiting membrane, cytoplasmic and nuclear staining. A significant difference (p < 0.001) between all groups in regard to immunostaining was detected.

Conclusions: GLUT1 expression increased from oral epithelial dysplasia to oral squamous cell carcinoma histological grades. GLUT1 in actively dividing cells may reflect the tumor's aggressiveness and treatment response. Hypoxia increases this marker's expression, indicating division and proliferation.