Could GLUT12 be a potential therapeutic target in cancer treatment? A preliminary report

Abstract

Background: Recent studies proposed GLUT12 to be a major glucose transporter involved in the glycolytic metabolism of cancer cells. Methods: GLUT12 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry in a selection of cancer cell lines and a tumour spheroid model. Results: GLUT12 expression was high in A549 and RH-36; low in HT29; and absent in NB-EB cancer cell lines. GLUT12 expression was located in the necrotic centre of HT29 spheroids, which is characterised by anaerobic metabolism. Conclusion: The data supports the involvement of GLUT12 in the glycolytic metabolism of cancer cells and therefore, its potential as a novel therapeutic target for cancer treatment.