Expression of monocarboxylate transporter 1 in colorectal carcinoma and its role in tumor progression and prognosis

Abstract

Background The prognosis of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is still poor despite the advancement in surgical management and chemo-radiotherapy, it may be related to late diagnosis and chemoresistance. Monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) has a role in metabolic adjustment of cancer cells which enhances cancer progression and chemoresistance. Aim This research aims to evaluate the expression of MCT1 in CRC using immunohistochemistry and correlate its expression with clinicopathological data to assess its role in tumor progression and prognosis. Methodology The included colorectal carcinoma cases were microscopically examined to assess histopathological findings then they were immunohistochemically stained using MCT1 antibody. Results MCT1 expression was detected in tumor and stromal cells in 64.4% and 43.3% of cases and showed significant associations with high-grade tumors ( P = 0.01 and 0.04), high mitosis ( P = 0.029 and 0.042), deeper invasion ( P = 0.001 and 0.007), lymph node metastasis ( P = 0.002 and 0.001), advanced stage ( P = 0.002 and 0.001), distant metastasis ( P = 0.004 and 0.015) and partial response to therapy ( P = 0.004 and 0.001). Moreover, significant associations were detected between MCT1 expression in tumor cells and large tumor size ( P = 0.045), vascular invasion ( P = 0.032), and low apoptosis ( P = 0.038). MCT1 expression in tumor and stromal cells was associated with short overall survival ( P = 0.003 and 0.002). Conclusion MCT1 expression is associated with colorectal carcinoma progression and impairment of tumor response to therapy. MCT1 could be used as a prognostic biomarker for CRC aggressiveness and resistance to therapy and may be considered for future target therapy.