Serum galectin-1 and galectin-3 levels in benign and malignant nodular thyroid disease.
BACKGROUND
Since the histological expression of galectins is increased in thyroid carcinoma, determination of their serum levels may provide useful preoperative information. The goal of this study was to determine if a difference in galectin serum levels could be detected between benign and malignant nodular thyroid diseases.


METHODS
Using validated ELISAs, the concentrations of several galectins were prospectively measured in serum samples from 30 healthy individuals and preoperatively in 90 patients with thyroid disease. Seventy-one patients had multiple thyroid nodules (MTN), 13 patients had a single thyroid nodule (STN), and 6 patients had Graves' disease. Nine of 71 patients with MTN had fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of their nodules and in 7 patients a "benign" diagnosis was made, in 0 patient a "malignant" diagnosis was made, and in 2 patients a "suspicious" diagnosis was made. Six of 13 patients with STN had FNAB of their nodules and in 2 patients a "benign" diagnosis was made, in 3 patients a "malignant" diagnosis was made, and in 1 patient a "suspicious" diagnosis was made.


RESULTS
Thyroid disease was associated with higher levels of galectins-1 and -3 compared to normal subjects. Using a threshold value of 3.2 ng/mL as a cut-off point, the measurement of serum galectin-3 separated micro- and macropapillary thyroid carcinoma (PAP_CA) from patients with nonmalignant thyroid disease with 74% specificity, 73% sensitivity, 57% positive predictive value, and 85% negative predictive value. Elevated serum galectin-3 concentrations (>3.2 ng/mL) detected 87% of macropapillary thyroid carcinomas and 67% of micropapillary thyroid carcinomas.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum levels of galectins-1 and -3 are relatively high in patients with thyroid malignancy but there is considerable overlap in serum galectin-3 concentrations between those with benign and malignant nodular thyroid disease and, to a lesser extent, between those with and without nodular thyroid disease.
Saussez
Sven
S
Laboratory of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Mons-Hainaut, Mons, Belgium. sven.saussez@umh.ac.be
Glinoer
Daniel
D
Chantrain
Gilbert
G
Pattou
Francois
F
Carnaille
Bruno
B
André
Sabine
S
Gabius
Hans-Joachim
HJ
Laurent
Guy
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D037483:Galectin 1 / Q000097:blood*; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000097:blood*; D037161:Galectins / Q000097:blood; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D037483:Galectin 1; D037502:Galectin 3; D037161:Galectins; C092525:LGALS7 protein, human