Examining GLUT1 mRNA level in tissue samples of non-small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer is a type of malignant lung tumor, which is the most important cause of death caused by cancer in humans. GLUT1 is an important transporter of glucose to cells, and its over expression is involved in increasing the metabolism of cancer cells. Investigating changes in GLUT1 gene expression in non-small cell cancer tissue samples. Number of 30 tissue samples of non-small cell lung cancer and 30 tissue samples adjacent to the tumor were obtained from patients referred to Masih Deneshvari Hospital after obtaining consent. After sampling, RNA isolation and cDNA production, GLUT1 and GAPDH mRNA level was measured by Real-Time PCR technique. Statistical analysis of gene expression data was done with t test. In 21 samples (70%), GLUT1 mRNA level in non-small cell lung cancer tissue was increased compared to healthy tissue. In addition, the level of mRNA in tumor tissue increased by 3.4 times compared to normal tissue (P = 0.013). The increase in GLUT1 mRNA level in non-small cell lung carcinoma cells can be a sign of changing the metabolic program of these cells to aerobic glycolysis, which results in tumor expansion and malignancy.