Increased expression of monocarboxylate transporters 1, 2, and 4 in colorectal carcinomas

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2008

Authors

Fernando Schmitt (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Virchows Archiv

Vol. 452

Pages: 139-146

ISSN: 0945-6317

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 202 Citations

Scopus - 204 Citations

Pubmed / Medline

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Basic medicine

CORDIS: Health sciences > Medical sciences > Medicine > Pathological anatomy

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-004-1ZB

DOI: 10.1007/s00428-007-0558-5

Abstract (EN): Tumour cells are known to be highly glycolytic, thus producing high amounts of lactic acid. Monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs), by promoting the efflux of the accumulating acids, constitute one of the most important mechanisms in the maintenance of tumour intracellular pH. Since data concerning MCT expression in colorectal carcinomas (CRC) are scarce and controversial, the present study aimed to assess the expressions of MCT1, 2, and 4 in a well characterized series of CRC and assess their role in CRC carcinogenesis. CRC samples (126 cases) were analyzed for MCT1, MCT2, and MCT4 immunoexpression and findings correlated with clinico-pathological parameters. Expression of all MCT isoforms in tumour cells was significantly increased when compared to adjacent normal epithelium. Remarkably, there was a significant gain of membrane expression for MCT1 and MCT4 and loss of plasma membrane expression for MCT2 in tumour cells. Plasma membrane expression of MCT1 was directly related to the presence of vascular invasion. This is the larger study on MCT expression in CRC and evaluates for the first time its clinico-pathological significance. The increased expression of these transporters suggests an important role in CRC, which might justify their use, especially MCT1 and MCT4, as targets in CRC drug therapy.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8