[Expression of galectin-3 in thyroid gland and follicular cell tumors of the thyroid. A critical study of its possible role in preoperative differential diagnosis].
Galectin-3 belongs to a group of endogenous lectins with an affinity to glycoconjugates containing beta-galactoside residues. It has been detected in numerous tissues and studied in connection with tumor growth, dedifferentiation, and metastasis. Only few studies have dealt with galectin-3 detection in tumors of the thyroid gland and with its possible role for differential diagnosis. We studied 118 cases of thyroid gland tumors with a monoclonal antibody against galectin-3; we compared the preparations by a semiquantitative score to determine differences in expression. Normal thyroid gland tissue, goiter tissue, and tissue with functional enhancement were largely negative for galectin-3. Adenomas with a typical cytological pattern were predominantly negative, but a focal positive reaction in single cells and cell groups or follicles was possible. Almost all papillary carcinomas showed a distinct galectin-3 expression. While findings in follicular carcinomas and oxyphilic adenomas and carcinomas were very uneven, with both positive and negative tumors, the galectin-3 reaction can be helpful in recognizing follicular variants of the papillary carcinoma. Investigation of the biological significance of tumors should always be cautious and consider known histological criteria for malignancy.
Niedobitek
C
C
Institut für Pathologie, Berlin-Lankwitz.
Niedobitek
F
F
Lindenberg
G
G
Bachler
B
B
Neudeck
H
H
Zuschneid
W
W
Hopfenmüller
W
W
D018263:Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D000236:Adenoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000032:analysis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D037502:Galectin 3; D006801:Humans; D006965:Hyperplasia; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000473:pathology*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D037502:Galectin 3; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins