GLUT 1 expression favors formation and growth of hepatic metastasis

High portal glucose levels may be one of the factors supporting tumor growth and progression in hepatic tissue, and we have previously shown that the facilitative glucose transporter (GLUT) 1 is a tumor-promotor in hepatocellular carcinoma, while its expression is at the detection limit in normal hepatocytes. The aim of this study was to analyze whether GLUT1 expression and a high capacity for glucose uptake, respectively, is a general pro-cancerogenic factor of the liver. For that, we used malignant melanoma as a model-tumor, which is known to preferentially metastasize to the liver. Methods and Results: Applyi…