title: Galectin-3: a biologic marker and diagnostic aid for chordoma.
abstract: Galectin-3 is a beta-galactoside binding protein. Its expression is quantitatively and qualitatively altered during self-proliferation, malignant transformation, and tumor progression. Galectin-3 is a lectin-related molecule. Lectins are proteins that bind specific carbohydrate structures. Although their precise biologic function is unclear, the general idea is that these molecules operate in modulating cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix interactions. Galectins have been implicated in cell growth and differentiation and seem to play a role in malignant transformation and metastasis. Galectin-3 is expressed in primitive notochord. The purpose of the current investigation was to identify an immunohistochemical marker to help distinguish the pathologically overlapping entities of chordoma from myxoid low-grade chondrosarcoma. Twelve of 16 (75%) chordomas stained positive for Galectin-3 whereas only one of 12 low-grade myxoid chondrosarcomas stained positive. Galectin-3 chordoma staining is 75% sensitive and 92% specific.
authors.affiliation: Vanderbilt University, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nashville, TN 37232-2550, USA.
authors.forename: Saul F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Juliao
authors.forename: Nahshon
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rand
authors.forename: Herbert S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Schwartz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000378:metabolism*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002813:Chondrosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D002817:Chordoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D037502:Galectin 3; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D037502:Galectin 3