Galectin-3 expression in colorectal cancer: relation to invasion and metastasis.
BACKGROUND
Galectin-3, a beta-galactoside-binding protein, has been associated with various biological processes, such as cell adhesion, recognition, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of galectin-3 expression to clinicopathological findings in patients with colorectal cancer. Furthermore, the correlation between the expression of galectin-3 and beta-catenin, and the Ki-67 labeling index were investigated.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical assessment of galectin-3, beta-catenin and Ki-67 expression was performed on samples from 108 patients with colorectal cancer. The expression of galectin-3 was classified at the tumor surface and the invasive front, and its relationship with clinicopathological factors was considered from a statistical viewpoint.


RESULTS
There was significant liver metastasis when the expression of galectin-3 was lower at the invasive front of a tumor compared to its surface (p = 0.04). There were also significant correlations between beta-catenin expression at the tumor surface and liver metastasis and tumor stage (p = 0.03, p = 0.04 respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The reduction of galectin-3 expression is associated with the invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer. A possible involvement of galectin-3 expression in tumor invasion, metastasis and proliferation in patients with colorectal cancer is suggested.
Tsuboi
Kaori
K
Department of General Surgical Science (Surgery I), Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine 3-39-22, Showa-machi, Maebashi, Gunma 371-8511, Japan. tsuboik@med.gunma-u.ac.jp
Shimura
Tatsuo
T
Masuda
Norihiro
N
Ide
Munenori
M
Tsutsumi
Soichi
S
Yamaguchi
Satoru
S
Asao
Takayui
T
Kuwano
Hiroyuki
H
D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000556:secondary*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness
D037502:Galectin 3; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen