Scientists have discovered a sign of cancer

Scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles have discovered a mechanism that allows cancer cells to digest glucose and gain the energy needed to survive and develop tumors, MedicalXpress said. However, the content of certain molecules, on the basis of which a precancerous state can be established, is increased in cells, BTA reports.

Scientists have identified a molecule known as sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2). It is a protein that is responsible for the transfer of glucose into the cell. Cancer cells need glucose to ensure their survival and growth. Therefore, another type of transport protein, known as glucose transporters (GLUT), is extremely important to them. Previous studies have shown that SGLT2 may play an important role in the development of some types of cancer, including the prostate and pancreas.

Positron emission tomography has been used to determine the activity of various glucose transporters in lung cancer cells at specific stages of the disease. It was found that a large amount of SGLT2 was contained in these cells. This suggests that the new emerging tumor is supplied with carbohydrates, primarily via sodium-glucose co-transporter rather than GLUT. In addition, the increased concentration of SGLT2 may be present prior to tumor initiation. This transforms the sodium-glucose cotransporter in question into an effective marker for the detection of malignant tumor formations at an early stage of their development.

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