Role of Glut-1 in Tumor Progression and Prognosis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Oral cancer, one of the most common cancers worldwide constitutes a major public health problem and is one of the leading cancer sites among men and women in India. Increased uptake of glucose in cancer cells are mediated by glucose transporters. Among 14 isoforms of glucose transporters, Glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1) isoform expression predominate Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Aim: To emphasize the expression of GLUT-1 in OSCC and to assess its role in tumor progression and prognosis. Materials and Methods: Hand searching and electronic databases such as PubMed/Medline, Google scholar and Science- Direct were done for mesh terms such as OSCC, GLUT-1, prognosis, tumor markers, prognostic marker and risk predictor. Studies were pooled and relevant articles were evaluated. Results: Final analysis identified thirteen articles after considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. These studies evalu- ated 926 OSCC cases and 70 healthy controls for GLUT-1 immunoexpression. The data was extracted and evaluated manu- ally. GLUT-1 expression was found to be elevated in OPMDs and OSCC than in healthy controls. The pattern of expression of GLUT-1, its correlation with clinico-pathological features, role in tumour progression and prognosis, expression in tumor invasive front, correlation with other markers and role in therapeutics are also discussed in detail

A new approach to exfoliative cytology: A comparative cytomorphometric study.

CONTEXT: Early detection of oral premalignancy and malignancy using simple screening aids play a promising role in curbing the disease. AIM: The primary aim of this study is to evaluate and the secondary aim of this study is to compare the cytomorphometry and cellular atypia in keratinocytes obtained from oral rinse and conventional exfoliative cytology in normal oral mucosa and clinically diagnosed oral leukoplakia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised of 55 clinically diagnosed cases of leukoplakia and 55 age and sex matched normal controls. Smears were prepared using oral rinse technique followed by the conventional exfoliative cytology. Papanicoloau stained smears were evaluated for atypia and subjected to image analysis. Based on the presence of atypia they were further divided into three groups (Group 1‑cases with atypia, Group 2‑without atypia and Group 3‑normal controls) and analyzed. Statistical analysis used one‑way analysis of variance followed by Tukey Honestly Significant Difference test for intergroup analysis and unpaired students t‑test to compare the two methods. RESULTS: Smears prepared with both methods demonstrated atypia in 18 cases. The cellular diameter and cellular area (CA) were progressively increased from Group 1 through Groups 2 and 3 in both the smears. Nuclear diameter and nuclear area and nuclear cytoplasmic ratio progressively decreased from Group 1 through Groups 2 and 3. Both the methods showed no significant differences among the cellular parameters except in normal controls. CONCLUSION: Cytomorphometric analysis of keratinocytes obtained with oral rinse method and wooden spatula can serve as a useful screening aid to detect oral leukoplakia. Oral rinse method being more convenient results in smears of better quality.

Isolation and properties of a lectin from the seeds of Mimosa invisa L.

A lectin has been purified from the seeds of Mimosa invisa L. by gel filtration and preparative Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified lectin was homogeneous as judged by analytical Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, immunodiffusion and Immunoelectrophoresis. The apparent molecular weight is 100,000; the protein is a tetramer with two types of subunits (molecular weight 35,000 and 15,000). The lectin is a glycoprotein with approximately 21% carbohydrate and interacts with Sephadex and concanavalin ASepharose. It agglutinates erthrocytes non-specifically, does not agglutinate leucocytes and is not mitogenic, agglutinates Mimosa-nodulating Rhizobium and is a panagglutinin; the agglutination is not inhibited by several simple sugars. It is thermo-stable and has no metal ions.

RNA polymerase activity in isolated nuclei of Nicotiana sanderae callus: Characteristics and modulation during differentiation.

Isolated nuclei from differentiating cultures of Nicotiana sanderae showed increased levels of RNA polymerase activity as compared to the nuclei from callus cultures. The RNA synthetic activity was dependent on nucleotide triphosphates and Mg2+ and was destroyed by RNase. Maximum activity was obtained in the presence of 50 mM (NH4)2 SO4 and α-amanitin inhibited 40% and 55% of the activity in the nuclei from callus and differentiating tissue respectively. The nuclei from differentiating tissue elicited a 3-fold increase in RNA polymerase I and a 4-fold augmentation in RNA polymerase II activities.

Effect of phytohormones on nuclear RNA synthesis in germinating seeds of Trigonella foenumgraeceum and its callus.

Treatment of Trigonella foenumgraeceum (fenugreek) seedlings with naphthalene acetic acid plus gibberellic acid enhanced the RNA synthesising capacity of nuclei isolated from the hypocotyl and cotyledonary regions. This increase was more pronounced in the nuclei from the hypocotyl region than from the cotyledonary region. In vitro addition of these phytohormones did not stimulate RNA synthesis by nuclei. The RNA synthesis by mitochondria was not affected by preincubating the seedlings with the hormones. The nuclei isolated from callus cultures of fenugreek hypocotyl treated with the hormone also showed increased RNA synthesis.