Background and objective: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) includes a variety of clinical, biological, and histological forms, all of which pose difficulties and challenges in terms of diagnosis, grading, and treatment. Glucose transporter protein 1 (GLUT-1) is involved in the glycolysis of tumor cells. This protein's high expression in malignant neoplasms is linked to tumor aggressiveness. P-Src belongs to a family of cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases and plays a role in tumor initiation and progression. The study aims to predict the aggressiveness of different grades of MEC through studying the expression of GLUT-1 and p-Src in five years of follow-up.
Materials and methods: Thirty paraffin blocks, included MEC from the pathology laboratory of the Oncology Center Mansoura University were preceded for post-operative follow-up for at least five years. Hematoxylin and eosin stained sections, tumors were scored and graded according to WHO grading system 4th edition. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were determined for each case. Immunohistochemical staining for the rabbit polyclonal antibody anti-GLUT-1 and the rabbit polyclonal antibody anti p-Src were performed using a Dako Autostainer with a Universal Staining System.
Results: A statistically significant correlation between GLUT-1 and p-Src expression with tumor grades, DFS, and OS. Direct correlation between GLUT-1 and p-Src expression regarding tumor grades, the living and dead status of the cases, recurrence, DFS, and OS.
Conclusion: GLUT-1 and p-Src might serve as good prognostic markers for MEC as their expression is associated with tumor grades, DFS and OS, they might be considered promising therapeutic targets for MEC.