High level of galectin-1 expression is a negative prognostic predictor of recurrence in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas

Int J Oncol. 2007 May;30(5):1109-17.

Abstract

Monitoring of gene-expression profiles is assumed to refine tumor characterization of laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas (LSCCs) with a therapeutic perspective. This is especially expected for adhesion/growth-regulatory effectors such as galectins, a class of endogenous lectins. Using computer-assisted microscopy, we investigated the prognostic value contributed by the quantitative determination of the immunohistochemical levels of expression of galectin-1, -3 and -7 in a series of 62 LSCCs including 42 low- and 20 high-stage LSCCs. As galectin-1 may have a key role leading to a tumor escape from immune surveillance, we also investigated whether or not the level of galectin-1 expression correlated with lymphocyte infiltration in LSCCs. The immunohistochemical determination of expression of galectin-1 is of prognostic value in human squamous laryngeal cancers. LSCCs that display high levels of galectin-1 have worse prognoses than laryngeal cancers with low levels of galectin-1 expression. Elevation of galectin-1 levels in laryngeal cancers can contribute to the process of tumor immune escape by killing the activated T-cells and other protumoral activities such as promoting motility or activity of oncogenic H-Ras proteins. The quantitative determination of galectin-1 in LSCCs is an independent prognostic marker when opposed to TNM staging. It has the potential to identify patients unlikely to benefit from T-cell-mediated immunotherapy, although the definitive effector function from its pro- and antitumoral activity profile has not been delineated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology*
  • Female
  • Galectin 1 / biosynthesis*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Laryngeal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Recurrence
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Galectin 1