[Expression of galectin-3 and Sambucus nigra agglutinin and its clinicopathological significance in benign and malignant lesions of breast].
OBJECTIVE
To detect the expression of galectin-3 (gal-3) and Sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA) and determine their clinicopathological significance in breast cancers and benign breast lesions.


METHODS
Envison immunohistochemistry for staining gal-3 expression, and ABC affinity-cytochemistry to detect SNA expression were used in paraffin-embedded slides from specimens of breast cancers (n=60) and benign lesions (n=30).


RESULTS
The positive rates and scoring means of gal-3 and SNA were significantly higher in breast cancer (48.3%, 2.07 +/- 2.25, 2.12 +/- 2.26) than those in benign lesions (26.7%, 1.03 +/- 1.63, 1.07 +/- 1.59, P < 0.05). The scoring means of gal-3 and SNA expression were significantly lower in the positive cases of estrogen receptor (ER) and the negative ones of CA15-3 than those in the negative cases and the positive ones (P < 0.05).The survival analysis of Kaplan-Meier showed the 5-year survival rate and mean survival period were significantly lower in the gal-3 or SNA expression positive cases than those in the negative cases of breast cancer (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The expressive level of gal-3 and SNA lectins might have important effect on the carcinogenesis, progression and biologic behaviors of breast cancer. The positive cases of gal-3 and /or SNA expression might have poor prognosis.
Chen
Gannong
G
Department of General Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011,China.
Zou
Qiongyan
Q
Yang
Zhulin
Z
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005348:Fibrocystic Breast Disease / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018396:Mucin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D037121:Plant Lectins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011379:Prognosis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D054788:Ribosome Inactivating Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
D037502:Galectin 3; D018396:Mucin-1; D037121:Plant Lectins; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; C050600:Sambucus nigra lectins; D054788:Ribosome Inactivating Proteins