Expression of Hexokinase-2 (HK2), Glutaminase-1 (GLS1) and Fatty Acid Synthase (FASN) in Gastric Cancer and Their Prognostic Significance

TL;DR

This study examines the expression of three metabolic enzymes in gastric cancer and their potential as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets.

Contribution

The study identifies co-expression of HK2, GLS1, and FASN as a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target in advanced gastric cancer.

Findings

HK2 and FASN overexpression correlates with advanced tumor stage in gastric cancer.

Co-expression of HK2/FASN and HK2/GLS1/FASN is associated with disease progression.

Only tumor stage remains a significant prognostic factor in multivariate analysis.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: To evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of hexokinase-2 (HK2), glutaminase-1 (GLS1), and fatty acid synthase (FASN) and its prognostic significance in diffuse gastric adenocarcinoma. Materials and Methods: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples from 92 patients with diffuse gastric adenocarcinoma were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to assess the expression of HK2, GLS1 and FASN. Expression levels were evaluated semi-quantitatively based on staining intensity and the percentage of positive cells. Associations between enzyme expression and clinicopathological features were assessed using the Chi-square test. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was employed to evaluate progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) and the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards models were used for statistical analysis. Results: HK2 and FASN were overexpressed in 20.7% and 22.8% of patients, respectively, and were significantly associated with advanced tumor stage. In contrast, GLS1 expression, found in 30.4% of patients, did not independently correlate with clinicopathological characteristics. Furthermore, HK2 expression and co-expression of HK2/FASN (10.9%) and HK2/GLS1/FASN (8.7%) were associated with progressive disease. In the univariate analysis, stage, HK2 overexpression, and co-expression of HK2/FASN and HK2/GLS1/FASN were associated with shorter survival. However, only stage retained prognostic value in the multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Co-expression of these key metabolic enzymes remains a promising candidate as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets. Concurrent targeting of these metabolic pathways may offer novel therapeutic opportunities for patients with advanced-stage gastric cancer.

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