Expression of GLUT1 in primary renal tumors: morphologic and biologic implications

This study aimed to assess whether glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) is useful in prognostication or differential diagnosis of renal tumors. GLUT1 immunostain for 228 renal tumors showed a membranous or cytoplasmic pattern. The membranous pattern was seen in 86.2% of 145 clear cell renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) and 100% of 11 transitional cell carcinomas (TCCs) but in no oncocytomas, other subtypes of RCC, or sarcomatoid areas of RCCs. The cytoplasmic pattern was seen in 55.2% of 145 clear cell RCCs, 38% of papillary RCCs (11/29), 13% of chromophobe RCCs (2/16), 22% of oncocytomas (5/23), and 82% of TCCs (9/11). Western blot showed a markedly increased GLUT1 protein content in clear cell RCCs compared with a low level in papillary RCCs and normal kidney specimens. GLUT1 expression in clear cell RCC was not significantly correlated with patient survival, tumor grade, or tumor stage. GLUT1 may be a novel target for immunotherapy and a useful marker in the differential diagnosis and classification of renal tumors.