title: Galectins - potential targets for cancer therapy.
abstract: Galectins are a family of galactose binding lectins that have become the focus of attention of cancer biologists due to their numerous regulatory roles in normal cellular metabolism and also because of their altered levels in various cancers. They are reportedly similar to several prominent and established modulators of apoptosis. In this review, we present a brief outline of the advancements in the methodology used to detect and identify them and their therapeutic applications in cancer. Their possible interactions with other glycoconjugates are also discussed and a vision for their future use in diagnosis and therapeutics is provided.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Biology Unit, National Centre for Cell Science, University of Pune Campus, Ganeshkhind, Pune 411007, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Syed Saif
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Hasan
authors.forename: Ghulam Md
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Ashraf
authors.forename: Naheed
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Banu
mesh_terms: D037161:Galectins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006031:Glycosylation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D037161:Galectins