Glucose transporter 1 expression in ameloblastoma and odontogenic keratocyst – A comparative immunohistochemical study

INTRODUCTION: Facilitative glucose transporters (GLUTs), which mediate glucose transport across the cell membrane, differ in their tissue distribution and affinity for glucose. GLUT1 is ubiquitously present and help in the basal uptake of glucose into the cells. Its expression is known to be elevated in conditions that induce hypoxia and by growth factors. GLUT1 is known to be increased in many malignant tumors to meet the metabolic requirements, but its role in odontogenic tumors is not known. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare the immunohistochemical expression of GLUT1 in ameloblastoma (AM) and odontogenic keratocyst (OKC). MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY: Thirty cases each of AM and OKCs were immunohistochemically stained using anti-GLUT1 antibody according to the standard protocol. Qualitative assessment of GLUT1 expression was done under the categories of distribution, intensity and localization of staining. Quantitative assessment was done using Image J software. The results were tabulated and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: GLUT1 positivity was observed in 25 (83.3%) cases of OKC and 26 (86.7%) of AM cases. The majority of cells in the suprabasal layer of OKC showed positivity, whereas the equal distribution of staining was observed in the central and peripheral cells of AM. CONCLUSION: GLUT1 expression in these tumors is suggestive of an increased glucose uptake and probably increased utilization of energy, which may be correlated with their aggressive behavior.