Abstract | OBJECTIVE:
Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a glycan- binding protein highly expressed in several tumors, including brain neoplasms. This protein has been demonstrated to be correlated with adverse prognosis in some tumor types. However, the role of Gal-3 in pediatric posterior fossa tumors (PPFTs) has not yet been fully addressed. The goals of this study were to evaluate Gal-3 expression in a series of PPFTs and verify whether this expression is related to patient outcome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: RESULTS: All PAs and ependymomas strongly showed Gal-3 expression, whereas no immunostaining was observed in medulloblastomas and diffuse astrocytomas. In AT/RTs, Gal-3 expression was conspicuous but heterogeneous, being mainly observed in rhabdoid cells. Concerning the Gal-3 expressing tumors, no relationship was observed between the degree of expression and patient survival. Gal-3 was strongly expressed in reactive astrocytes, normal endothelial cells, and macrophages in the adjacent non-neoplastic brain parenchyma. Interestingly, the endothelial cells in the tumor bulk of PAs lacked Gal-3 expression. CONCLUSIONS: Gal-3 is differentially expressed in PPFTs, but its expression shows no correlation with patient outcome. However, the evaluation of Gal-3 is helpful in establishing a differential diagnosis among PPFTs, especially between PAs and diffuse astrocytomas, and in some circumstances between medulloblastomas and AT/RTs.
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Authors | Carolina Bisinoto Borges, Emerson Soares Bernardes, Elder Francisco Latorraca, Aline Paixão Becker, Luciano Neder, Roger Chammas, Maria Cristina Roque-Barreira, Hélio Rubens Machado, Ricardo Santos de Oliveira |
Journal | Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery
(Childs Nerv Syst)
Vol. 27
Issue 2
Pg. 253-7
(Feb 2011)
ISSN: 1433-0350 [Electronic] Germany |
PMID | 20711594
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Biomarkers, Tumor
- Galectin 3
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Topics |
- Biomarkers, Tumor
(analysis)
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Galectin 3
(biosynthesis)
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Infratentorial Neoplasms
(metabolism, pathology)
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
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