[Association of galectin-3 and E-cadherin expressions with lymph node metastasis of colon cancer].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the correlation between the expressions of galectin-3 and E-cadherin and lymph node metastasis of colon cancer.


METHODS
Immunohistochemistry was employed to examine the expressions of E-cadherin and galectin-3 in 37 colon cancer samples, among which 21 samples underwent RT-PCR for E-cadherin and galectin-3 mRNA expressions. The correlation of E-cadherin and galectin-3 expressions with lymph node metastasis of the tumor was analyzed.


RESULTS
The positivity rate of galectin-3 expression was 83.8% (31/37) in these samples. Of the tumor cases with lymph node metastasis, 94.7% (18/19) of the tumors were positive for galectin-3 expression, a rate significantly higher than that in non-metastatic cases. The positivity rate of E-cadherin expression was 59.5% (22/37) in the total cases, and 47.4% (9/19) in the metastatic cases, significantly lower than that in the non-metastatic cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Galectin-3 and E-cadherin expressions are associated with lymph node metastasis of colon cancer and may serve as potential prognostic indicators for colon cancer patients.
Wu
Zong-hui
ZH
Department of General Surgery, Hospital of Xi'nan University, Chongqing 400715, China. wuzh@swu.edu.cn
Gan
Lu
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D015820:Cadherins / Q000235:genetics*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D055815:Young Adult
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015820:Cadherins; D037502:Galectin 3