Galectins are
proteins that bind β-galactoside
sugars and provide a new type of potential
biomarkers and therapeutic targets in
cancer.
Galectin-1, -3 and -9 have become the focus of different research groups, but their expression and function in
cervical cancer is still unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the phenotype of
galectin-1, -3 and -9 expressing cells and the association with clinico-pathological parameters in
cervical cancer.
Galectin expression was scored in
tumor cells,
tumor epithelium infiltrating immune cells and stromal cells in squamous
cervical cancer (n = 160). Correlations with clinico-pathological parameters and survival were studied according to the REMARK recommendations. We additionally investigated whether the
galectins were expressed by
tumor cells, fibroblasts, macrophages and T cells.
Galectin-1 and -9 were both expressed by
tumor cells in 11% of samples, while 84% expressed
galectin-3. Strong
galectin-1 expression by
tumor cells was an independent predictor for poor survival (hazard ratio: 8.02, p = 0.001) and correlated with increased
tumor invasion (p = 0.032) and receiving post-operative
radiotherapy (p = 0.020). Weak and positive
tumor cell
galectin-3 expression were correlated with increased and decreased
tumor invasion, respectively (p = 0.012).
Tumor cell expression of galectin-9 showed a trend toward improved survival (p = 0.087). The predominant immune cell type expressing
galectin-1, -3 and -9 were CD163+ macrophages.
Galectin-1 and -3 were expressed by a minor population of T cells.
Galectin-1 was mainly expressed by fibroblasts in the
tumor stroma. To conclude, while
tumor cell expression of galectin-9 seemed to represent a beneficial response,
galectin-1 expression might be used as a marker for a more aggressive anti-
cancer treatment.