Galectins in the tumor endothelium: opportunities for combined cancer therapy.
Galectins are emerging as a family of proteins that play an important role in several steps of tumorigenesis. Evidence is accumulating that galectins are expressed by the tumor endothelium, where they contribute to different steps of tumor progression such as immune escape and metastasis. Recent studies have identified an important role for galectins in tumor angiogenesis. Moreover, it has been shown that galectins in the endothelium can be targeted for therapeutic applications. This opens a window of opportunity for the development of tumor-type independent treatment strategies. This review focuses on the expression of galectins in the tumor endothelium, their contribution to tumor progression, and their application in tumor-type independent cancer therapy.
Thijssen
Victor L J L
VL
Angiogenesis Laboratory, Research Institute for Growth and Development, Department of Pathology, University Maastricht and Academic Hospital Maastricht, the Netherlands. aw.griffioen@path.unimaas.nl
Poirier
Françoise
F
Baum
Linda G
LG
Griffioen
Arjan W
AW
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D037161:Galectins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D037161:Galectins