title: Differential expression of galectin-3 in advancing thyroid cancer cells: a clue toward understanding tumour progression and metastasis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Galectin-3 is a member of the beta-galactoside-binding protein family that plays an important role in cell-to-cell adhesion and in cell-to-matrix interaction. Cellular expression of galectin-3 is correlated with cancer aggressiveness and metastasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined the differential expression of galectin-3 in a collection of 142 cases of thyroid lesions, including 108 cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and 34 cases of follicular carcinoma (FCA). An immunohistochemical method was applied and semiquantitative scoring was performed on the staining intensity of the positive tissue. Scoring was done on cells at the central portion of the tumour foci and on cells at the periphery that were adjacent to the neighbouring normal thyroid tissue matrix.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significantly higher expression (p is 0.001) of galectin-3 was observed in the advancing peripheral thyroid cancer cells compared to the centrally located cells that were not in close contact with the neighbouring stromal tissue in cases with PTC compared to those with FCA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This finding supported the role of galectin-3 in its cell-to-cell adhesion and cell-to-matrix interaction. Galectin-3 is a potential tumour marker for indicating local and distance metastasis, especially in cases with PTC.
authors.affiliation: University Kuala Lumpur-Royal College of Medicine Perak, Ipoh 30450, Malaysia. ththan@rcmp.unikl.edu.my
authors.forename: T T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Htwe
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Karim
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jahanfar
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mansur
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018450:Disease Progression; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000473:pathology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D001616:beta-Galactosidase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D037502:Galectin 3; D001616:beta-Galactosidase