Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1) expression as a predictor of disease outcome in rectal cancer treated by preoperative radio- or chemoradiotherapy. Patients and Methods: Operative samples from 175 rectal cancer patients and 78 preoperative biopsies were analysed for GLUT-1 expression using immunohistochemistry. Forty-six patients received long-course radiotherapy, with/without chemotherapy and tumour regression grade was analysed in these specimens. Results: Negative GLUT-1 expression was seen in 25/78 (32%) of the preoperative biopsies and in 38/78 (49%) of the operative samples. There was no significant correlation of GLUT-1 with common clinicopathological factors. A trend towards longer disease-free survival (DFS) for the long-course radiotherapy group patients was seen with negative/weak GLUT-1 staining intensity (p=0.066) and excellent tumour regression grade (p=0.068) in operative samples. Disease-free survival (p=0.068) and disease-specific survival (p=0.024) of the patients with excellent tumour regression were longer than among the patients with moderate or less regression. Conclusion: A trend towards longer DFS among patients in favour of negative/weak GLUT-1 staining in the operative samples after long-course radiotherapy is demonstrated.
- Received November 1, 2010.
- Revision received November 5, 2010.
- Accepted November 5, 2010.
- Copyright© 2011 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved