Table 2.

FUT8 in cancer.

Lung Cancer [20,28,49]

FUT8 is upregulated in NSCLC and is associated with increased tumour metastasis, higher reoccurrence, and poorer survival. Core fucosylated E-cadherin hinders cell motility and reduction of fucosylation levels enhances lung cancer cell migration. Core fucosylation of E-cadherin regulates Src activation thereby inducing an EMT process—stimulating migration of lung cancer cells.

Liver Cancer [50,52]

Tumour tissue and highly metastatic HCC cells have high expression of FUT8. FUT8 is a direct transcriptional target of wild type p53 in HCC cells.

Colorectal Cancer [24]

FUT8 and E-cadherin levels are significantly increased in colorectal cancer.

Ovarian Cancer [53]

In epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) alteration of core fucosylation is associated with cisplatin (cDDP) resistance. cDDP-uptake regulates cell survival, signal transduction, and cell apoptosis.

Prostate Cancer [5,57]

Increased core fucosylation in prostate cancer correlates to disease progression FUT8 is increased in high-grade and metastatic prostate cancers FUT8 overexpression may act as a driver in castrate-resistant phenotypes

Breast Cancer [30]

FUT8 is highly upregulated in aggressive breast carcinoma cells and plays a role in migratory and invasive capability and promotes distal lung metastasis

Thyroid Cancer [56]

FUT8 overexpression—specifically in cases with high biological aggressiveness. High FUT8 expression has significant association to tumour size, lymph node metastasis, advanced stage and presence of poorly differentiated lesions—indicating FUT8 expression is required for the progression of papillary carcinoma.

Melanoma [55]

FUT8 is important in melanoma invasion and represents a therapeutic target in melanoma metastasis. Silencing FUT8 reduces lung metastasis, and inhibits growth of pre-seeded metastases in the liver, brain and kidneys.

Pancreatic Cancer [27]

FUT8 protein expression is significantly elevated in carcinoma relative to normal pancreatic duct tissues. FUT8 is associated with lymph-node metastases and knockdown reduces cancer cell invasion.