Transketolase-Like Protein 1 and Glucose Transporter 1 in Gastric Cancer.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The glucose metabolism of cancer cells differs from that of noncancerous cells. Transketolase-like protein 1 (TKTL1) and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) both play a role in this process. These biochemical tumor markers are overexpressed in several types of human cancer. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine if TKTL1 and/or GLUT1 expression predicts prognosis in gastric cancer. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we selected 284 patients who underwent surgery for gastric cancer at the Helsinki University Hospital. We used immunohistochemistry to assess the expression of TKTL1 and GLUT1, combined with clinicopathological data. RESULTS: Positive expression of TKTL1 was associated with positive expression of GLUT1, age over 65 years, male gender, advanced stage (II-IV), and advanced tumors (T2-T4). Patients with a positive expression of TKTL1 had a poorer prognosis than those with no expression (p = 0.042, Breslow test). GLUT1 positivity was associated with higher age and with the intestinal type of gastric cancer but did not carry any prognostic value. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our study showed that positive expression of TKTL1 correlates with a poor prognosis in gastric cancer.