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Galectins as cancer biomarkers.

ABSTRACT: Galectins are a group of proteins that bind β-galactosides through evolutionarily conserved sequence elements of the carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD). Proteins similar to galectins can be found in very primitive animals such as sponges. Each galectin has an individual carbohydrate binding preference and can be found in cytoplasm as well as in the nucleus. They also can be secreted through non-classical pathways and function extracellularly. Experimental and clinical data demonstrate a correlation between galectin expression and tumor progression and metastasis, and therefore, galectins have the potential to serve as reliable tumor markers. In this review, we describe the expression and role of galectins in different cancers and their clinical applications for diagnostic use.

SUBMITTER: Balan V

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3645499 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Galectins as cancer biomarkers.

Balan Vitaly V Nangia-Makker Pratima P Raz Avraham A

Cancers 20100401 2

Galectins are a group of proteins that bind β-galactosides through evolutionarily conserved sequence elements of the carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD). Proteins similar to galectins can be found in very primitive animals such as sponges. Each galectin has an individual carbohydrate binding preference and can be found in cytoplasm as well as in the nucleus. They also can be secreted through non-classical pathways and function extracellularly. Experimental and clinical data demonstrate a corre ...[more]

PMID: 23658855

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Serum galectins as potential biomarkers of inflammatory bowel diseases.

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| S-EPMC6957193 | biostudies-literature

Galectins in Esophageal Cancer: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives.

Project description:Esophageal cancer is a disease with poor overall survival. Despite advancements in therapeutic options, the treatment outcome of esophageal cancer patients remains dismal with an overall 5-year survival rate of approximately 20 percent. To improve treatment efficacy and patient survival, efforts are being made to identify the factors that underlie disease progression and that contribute to poor therapeutic responses. It has become clear that some of these factors reside in the tumor micro-environment. In particular, the tumor vasculature and the tumor immune micro-environment have been implicated in esophageal cancer progression and treatment response. Interestingly, galectins represent a family of glycan-binding proteins that has been linked to both tumor angiogenesis and tumor immunosuppression. Indeed, in several cancer types, galectins have been identified as diagnostic and/or prognostic markers. However, the role of galectins in esophageal cancer is still poorly understood. Here, we summarize the current literature with regard to the expression and potential functions of galectins in esophageal cancer. In addition, we highlight the gaps in the current knowledge and we propose directions for future research in order to reveal whether galectins contribute to esophageal cancer progression and provide opportunities to improve the treatment and survival of esophageal cancer patients.

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| S-EPMC9872792 | biostudies-literature

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Tissue and plasma levels of galectins in patients with high grade serous ovarian carcinoma as new predictive biomarkers.

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Galectins and galectin-mediated autophagy regulation: new insights into targeted cancer therapy.

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| S-EPMC9945697 | biostudies-literature

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