Galectin 3 for the diagnosis of bladder cancer

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate serum levels of galectin-3 (G-3) in patients with bladder cancer and a control group, as a potential diagnostic and prognostic serum tumour marker.Patients and methodsBetween November 2012 and January 2013, 55 patients (median age 58 years) were enrolled into three groups, i.e., a control, those with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) or those with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The serum G-3 level was measured the night before cystoscopy. The levels of G-3 levels were correlated with tumour type, stage and grade, and in relation to levels in normal urothelium. The results were analysed statistically using the Mann–Whitney U-test, the Kruskal–Wallis test and the receiver operating characteristic curve, as appropriate.ResultsThe median serum G-3 level was 100, 720 and 920 pg/mL in the control, TCC and SCC groups, respectively, with very significantly greater G-3 levels in both the TCC and SCC groups than in the control group. Patients with high-grade TCC had a statistically significantly greater serum G-3 level than those with low-grade tumours, as did those with muscle-invasive TCC than those with Ta tumours.ConclusionsThe level of G-3 can aid as a diagnostic marker in patients with either TCC or SCC of the bladder, but the prognostic significance of G-3 remains to be confirmed.

Over forty years of bladder cancer glycobiology: Where do glycans stand facing precision oncology?

“…In this context, several clinical studies have unveiled glycan-associated signatures (glycans, glycan binding proteins, glycosyltranserases, heavily glycosylated proteins/lipids/GPI-anchored molecules) associated with more aggressive cancer cell phenotypes, tumour recurrence, progression, metastization, or decreased overall survival. Particularly, in bladder cancer, the presence/overexpression of GnT-III/IV, Le x , Le y , SLe x , STn, ST6GalNAc.I, T-antigen, ST3Gal.I, HER2, EpCAM, galectin-1, galectin-3, CD44, CD44v9, MUC1, MUC4, ITGA6, ITGAV, neuropilin-1, neuropilin-2, versican, decorin, biglycan, endocan, HYAL1, hyaluronic acid synthase 1, RHAAM, glucosylceramide synthase, and PIG-U was associated with more aggressive phenotypes and/or poor prognosis [ 20 , 30 , 46 , 50 , 54 , 64 - 67 , 76 , 82 , 86 , 87 , 96 , 97 , 101 - 103 , 120 , 121 , 124 , 125 , 129 , 133 , 139 , 165 - 168 , 171 , 172 , 176 , 177 , 179 - 181 , 198 , 208 , 209 ]. By another hand, (over)expression of β-1-6GalNAc antennae, galectin-7, CD44v6, MUC2, MUC6, glycolipid enzyme GM3, and CD109 were linked to a less aggressive phenotype and/or better prognosis [ 32 , 104 , 121 , 122 , 129 , 199 , 213 ].…”

“…In turn, galectin-3 mRNA and protein levels were also found increased in bladder tumours when compared with normal urothelium [ 94 , 97 , 98 , 100 ]. Moreover, galectin-3 levels are increased in invasive tumours compared with non-muscle invasive lesions [ 101 - 103 ]. Furthermore, its expression patterns are also correlated with tumour stage, grade, proliferation (Ki67), apoptosis (apopdetek and bcl-2), and overall survival in patients with T1G3 tumours [ 101 ].…”

Novel somatic mutations identified by whole-exome sequencing in muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

“…Samples were taken from two patients who had been newly diagnosed with primary MI-TCC of the bladder at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University (Suzhou, China), according to the 2004 World Health Organization/International Society of Urological Pathology grading system (17). Each subject was provided with appropriate information prior to recruitment for the present study, according to the regulations of the Institutional Ethics Review Boards.…”

Role of galectin-3 in the pathogenesis of bladder transitional cell carcinoma

“…El Gendy et al indicated that serum level of galectin-3 was significantly higher in patients with high-grade TCC compared with patients with low-grade tumors. They concluded that galectin-3 can be considered as a diagnostic serum marker for bladder cancers [64]. Recently, significantly increased expression and serum levels of galectin-3 was reported in patients with bladder tumors, including transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).…”