Expression of galectin-3 in adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck and its relationship with distant metastasis.
OBJECTIVE
Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is one of the most common malignant tumours of the salivary glands characterized by multiple recurrences and distant metastasis resulting in significantly worsening prognosis. Galectin-3, a member of the beta-galactoside-binding lectin family, has been implicated in tumour progression, metastasis, and found to have prognostic value. The aim of the study was to determine galectin-3 expression in ACC and correlate it with clinicopathological features and patient survival.


METHODS
Galectin-3 expression was investigated in paraffin sections of 35 ACC of the head and neck. Patients were divided into two groups based on a threshold of 5% positivity in the tumour cell population. The mean follow-up period for all patients was 90.1 months (range 3-300.1 months).


RESULTS
Seventeen (48.6%) tumour specimens were considered galectin-3-positive. Galectin-3 reactivity was significantly associated with regional and distant metastasis (P=0.045 and P<0.001, respectively). There was no statistical significance in the correlation of galectin-3 expression and disease-free survival and overall survival rate (P=0.095 and 0.102, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Galectin-3 may be used as an indicator in the prediction of metastatic spread in ACC.
Teymoortash
Afshin
A
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Philipps University, Deutschhaus str. 3, 35037, Marburg, Germany. teymoort@med.uni-marburg.de
Pientka
Anna
A
Schrader
Carsten
C
Tiemann
Markus
M
Werner
Jochen A
JA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000032:analysis*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016019:Survival Analysis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D037502:Galectin 3