Indicators of glucose transport and proliferative activity across cellular components in salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Introduction. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a malignant tumor of the salivary glands that originates from glandular epithelial cells. Its main components are epidermoid, intermediate, and mucous cells, whose role in tumor development remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate cell proliferation and glucose metabolism in epidermoid, intermediate, and mucous cells of mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Materials and methods. We analyzed samples from 31 patients diagnosed with mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Cell proliferation was assessed using the Ki-67 protein via immunohistochemistry, while glucose metabolism was studied with the immunopositive reaction of the GLUT-1 protein. Immunopositive cells for the Ki-67 protein were evaluated in the nuclei, whereas GLUT-1-positive cells were assessed based on cytoplasmic and membrane staining. Results. The comparison of the cellular components revealed that epidermoid and intermediate cells exhibited the highest proliferative activity and a strong immunopositive reaction to GLUT-1, indicating their key role in tumor growth and metabolic activity. Conclusion. Epidermoid and intermediate cells are the primary drivers of growth in mucoepidermoid carcinoma, whereas mucous cells show low proliferative activity and weak glucose metabolism. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.