Galectin-3 expression in prostate cancer and benign prostate tissues: correlation with biochemical recurrence.
BACKGROUND
Galactin-3 is a cell adhesion molecule involved in tumor progression. Our aim was to examine Gal-3 expression in tumor, benign tissue adjacent to the tumor (adjacent-benign) and benign prostate specimens and correlated it with biochemical recurrence.


METHODS
Tissue microarrays were prepared from 83 tumor, 78 adjacent-benign and 75 benign tissues obtained from 83 patients undergoing prostatectomy for clinically localized prostate cancer. Tissues were stained using a Gal-3 antibody and immunohistochemistry. The staining was graded between 0 and 300 depending upon staining intensity and the area of staining. In 37 patients on whom there was follow-up (Mean: 57.8 months; Median: 68 months), staining intensity was correlated with biochemical recurrence.


RESULTS
Gal-3 showed both nuclear and cytoplasmic localization in benign, adjacent-benign and tumor tissues. Median Gal-3 staining scores significantly decreased from benign (192.5) to adjacent-benign (148.8 p = 0.007) and to tumor (108.8; p < 0.0001) tissues. In univariate analysis, age (p = 0.028), Gleason sum (p = 0.007), T stage (p = 0.011), seminal vesicle invasion (p = 0.009), pre-operative prostate-specific antigen (p = 0.045) and Gal-3 staining in tumor tissues (0.018) significantly correlated with biochemical recurrence. In multivariate analysis, Gal-3 expression in tumor (p = 0.04), adjacent-benign (p = 0.037) and benign (p = 0.005) tissues significantly correlated with biochemical recurrence. Gal-3 staining in tumor tissues had 91.7 % sensitivity, 64 % specificity and 73 % accuracy in predicting biochemical recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first study that showed a decreasing gradient of Gal-3 expression in benign, adjacent-benign and tumor tissues. Gal-3 expression may be useful in predicting biochemical recurrence.
Department of Urology, Diakonie Klinikum Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany. judith.knapp@gmx.net
Judith S
JS
Knapp
Soum D
SD
Lokeshwar
Ulrich
U
Vogel
Jörg
J
Hennenlotter
Christian
C
Schwentner
Mario W
MW
Kramer
Arnulf
A
Stenzl
Axel S
AS
Merseburger
D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D011379:Prognosis; D011467:Prostate / Q000378:metabolism*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis
D037502:Galectin 3