PURPOSE: The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) has been shown to play an important role in the metabolism of cancer cells. The transketolase-like 1 gene (TKTL1) encodes an enzyme representing an essential component of this pathway. Its expression has been demonstrated to correlate with stage and outcome in various tumors. The aim of the present study was to assess expression patterns and the prognostic role of TKTL1 in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression of TKTL1 was assessed in a tissue microarray consisting of histopathologically benign and malign tissue of 112 patients who underwent radical cystectomy due to MIBC. Cytoplasmatic and nuclear expression were assessed by immunohistochemistry and compared separately with clinicopathologic parameters and outcome. RESULTS: Cytoplasmatic expression of TKTL1 was exclusively present in tumor tissue. In contrast, the proportion of nuclei positive for TKTL1 was higher in histopathologically benign tissue compared with malign tissue. No correlation was observed between cytoplasmatic or nuclear TKTL1 expression and tumor stage, grade or the presence of metastases. Patients with lymph node involvement showed a decreased frequency of cytoplasmatic expression compared with node-negative patients (p = 0.01). However, no further correlation was observed between the expression of TKTL1 and clinical outcome of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that the cytoplasmatic expression of TKTL1 is specific for MIBC tissue compared with histopathologically benign urothelium. This specific expression is present in a subgroup of MIBC potentially identifying patients with activated PPP suitable for a targeted inhibition of sugar metabolism. In contrast to other malignancies, TKTL1 shows no prognostic significance in MIBC.
PURPOSE: The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) has been shown to play an important role in the metabolism of cancer cells. The transketolase-like 1 gene (TKTL1) encodes an enzyme representing an essential component of this pathway. Its expression has been demonstrated to correlate with stage and outcome in various tumors. The aim of the present study was to assess expression patterns and the prognostic role of TKTL1 in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression of TKTL1 was assessed in a tissue microarray consisting of histopathologically benign and malign tissue of 112 patients who underwent radical cystectomy due to MIBC. Cytoplasmatic and nuclear expression were assessed by immunohistochemistry and compared separately with clinicopathologic parameters and outcome. RESULTS: Cytoplasmatic expression of TKTL1 was exclusively present in tumor tissue. In contrast, the proportion of nuclei positive for TKTL1 was higher in histopathologically benign tissue compared with malign tissue. No correlation was observed between cytoplasmatic or nuclear TKTL1 expression and tumor stage, grade or the presence of metastases. Patients with lymph node involvement showed a decreased frequency of cytoplasmatic expression compared with node-negative patients (p = 0.01). However, no further correlation was observed between the expression of TKTL1 and clinical outcome of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that the cytoplasmatic expression of TKTL1 is specific for MIBC tissue compared with histopathologically benign urothelium. This specific expression is present in a subgroup of MIBC potentially identifying patients with activated PPP suitable for a targeted inhibition of sugar metabolism. In contrast to other malignancies, TKTL1 shows no prognostic significance in MIBC.
Authors: Paolo Visca; Valeria Sebastiani; Ellen S Pizer; Claudio Botti; Piero De Carli; Stefania Filippi; Simona Monaco; Piero L Alo Journal: Anticancer Res Date: 2003 Jan-Feb Impact factor: 2.480
Authors: Martha Földi; Elmar Stickeler; Lidija Bau; Oliver Kretz; Dirk Watermann; Gerald Gitsch; Gian Kayser; Axel Zur Hausen; Johannes F Coy Journal: Oncol Rep Date: 2007-04 Impact factor: 3.906
Authors: S Langbein; M Zerilli; A Zur Hausen; W Staiger; K Rensch-Boschert; N Lukan; J Popa; M P Ternullo; A Steidler; C Weiss; R Grobholz; F Willeke; P Alken; G Stassi; P Schubert; J F Coy Journal: Br J Cancer Date: 2006-02-27 Impact factor: 7.640
Authors: Igor Tsaur; Kristina Thurn; Eva Juengel; Elsie Oppermann; Karen Nelson; Christian Thomas; Georg Bartsch; Gerhard M Oremek; Axel Haferkamp; Peter Rubenwolf; Roman A Blaheta Journal: Cent European J Urol Date: 2016-06-30