GLUT1 as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Glioblastoma

Ruchika, FNU; Suvarnapathaki, Sanika; Serrano-Farias, Antolin; Bettegowda, Chetan; Rincon-Torroella, Jordina

doi:10.3390/brainsci15060585

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Open AccessReview

GLUT1 as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Glioblastoma

by

FNU Ruchika

,

Sanika Suvarnapathaki

,

Antolin Serrano-Farias

,

Chetan Bettegowda

and

Jordina Rincon-Torroella

^*

Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD21287, USA

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Brain Sci. 2025, 15(6), 585; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15060585

Submission received: 23 April 2025 / Revised: 25 May 2025 / Accepted: 27 May 2025 / Published: 28 May 2025

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in the Development of New Drugs and Treatment Targets for Brain Cancers (2nd Edition))

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Abstract

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor in adults, with a median survival of 15–18 months. GBM cells, like all tumors, exhibit a metabolic shift known as the Warburg effect, favoring glycolysis even under normoxic conditions. GLUT1 is a primary glucose transporter in GBM cells and has been found to be overexpressed in these cells. The acidic microenvironment created by glycolysis facilitates immune evasion, therapy resistance, and tumor growth. Overexpression of GLUT1 is driven by hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), c-Myc, and other pathways which have been correlated with tumor aggressiveness as well as poor prognosis Recent studies have highlighted the therapeutic potential of targeting GLUT1 in GBM. Preclinical research shows that GLUT1 inhibitors, such as WZB117 and BAY-876, effectively impair tumor metabolism, reduce cell viability, and improve survival in vitro and in animal models. GLUT1 expression also serves as a prognostic marker, with elevated levels linked to poor outcomes. This review highlights the importance of GLUT1 in GBM biology as a potential therapeutic target and biomarker.

Keywords: GLUT1; Warburg effect; glioblastoma; hypoxia

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MDPI and ACS Style

Ruchika, F.; Suvarnapathaki, S.; Serrano-Farias, A.; Bettegowda, C.; Rincon-Torroella, J. GLUT1 as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Glioblastoma. Brain Sci. 2025, 15, 585. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15060585

AMA Style

Ruchika F, Suvarnapathaki S, Serrano-Farias A, Bettegowda C, Rincon-Torroella J. GLUT1 as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Glioblastoma. Brain Sciences. 2025; 15(6):585. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15060585

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ruchika, FNU, Sanika Suvarnapathaki, Antolin Serrano-Farias, Chetan Bettegowda, and Jordina Rincon-Torroella. 2025. "GLUT1 as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Glioblastoma" Brain Sciences 15, no. 6: 585. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15060585

APA Style

Ruchika, F., Suvarnapathaki, S., Serrano-Farias, A., Bettegowda, C., & Rincon-Torroella, J. (2025). GLUT1 as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Glioblastoma. Brain Sciences, 15(6), 585. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci15060585

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

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GLUT1 as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Glioblastoma

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