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High level of galectin-1 expression is a negative prognostic predictor of recurrence in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas.

Authors :
Saussez S
Decaestecker C
Lorfevre F
Cucu DR
Mortuaire G
Chevalier D
Wacreniez A
Kaltner H
André S
Toubeau G
Camby I
Gabius HJ
Kiss R
Source :
International journal of oncology [Int J Oncol] 2007 May; Vol. 30 (5), pp. 1109-17.
Publication Year :
2007

Abstract

Monitoring of gene-expression profiles is assumed to refine tumor characterization of laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas (LSCCs) with a therapeutic perspective. This is especially expected for adhesion/growth-regulatory effectors such as galectins, a class of endogenous lectins. Using computer-assisted microscopy, we investigated the prognostic value contributed by the quantitative determination of the immunohistochemical levels of expression of galectin-1, -3 and -7 in a series of 62 LSCCs including 42 low- and 20 high-stage LSCCs. As galectin-1 may have a key role leading to a tumor escape from immune surveillance, we also investigated whether or not the level of galectin-1 expression correlated with lymphocyte infiltration in LSCCs. The immunohistochemical determination of expression of galectin-1 is of prognostic value in human squamous laryngeal cancers. LSCCs that display high levels of galectin-1 have worse prognoses than laryngeal cancers with low levels of galectin-1 expression. Elevation of galectin-1 levels in laryngeal cancers can contribute to the process of tumor immune escape by killing the activated T-cells and other protumoral activities such as promoting motility or activity of oncogenic H-Ras proteins. The quantitative determination of galectin-1 in LSCCs is an independent prognostic marker when opposed to TNM staging. It has the potential to identify patients unlikely to benefit from T-cell-mediated immunotherapy, although the definitive effector function from its pro- and antitumoral activity profile has not been delineated.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1019-6439
Volume :
30
Issue :
5
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
International journal of oncology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
17390012