Targeting the Glucose-Insulin Link in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Induces Cytotoxic Oxidative Stress and Inhibits Cancer Growth.

ABSTRACT: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains a clinically challenging malignancy with limited targeted therapy options and poor patient outcomes. Thus, identifying unique dependencies, including HNSCC-specific metabolic reprogramming, is imperative for improving treatment strategies for this disease. In this study, we show that HNSCC relies on elevated glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1)-mediated glucose uptake to support redox homeostasis and tumor growth. Analyses of GLUT1 expression data in tumors and cancer cell lines reveal significant upregulation of GLUT1 in HNSCC relative to both normal tissue and other cancer subtypes and that high GLUT1 expression correlates with poorer clinical outcomes. Using a basal epithelial layer-specific GLUT1-knockout mouse model, we demonstrate that G

SUBMITTER: Mazambani S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12141995 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature