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Galectin-3 expression: a useful tool in the differential diagnosis of posterior fossa tumors in children.

AbstractOBJECTIVE:
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:
Gal-3 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 42 cases of surgically resected primary PPFTs. Surgeries were performed in our institution from January 2003 to December 2006. Tumor samples consisted of 21 pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs), 13 medulloblastomas, 4 ependymomas, 2 diffuse cerebellar astrocytomas, and 2 atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RTs).
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.
AuthorsCarolina 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
JournalChild'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
PMID20711594 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
Chemical References
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Galectin 3
Topics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor (analysis)
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Galectin 3 (biosynthesis)
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Infratentorial Neoplasms (metabolism, pathology)
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction

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