Galectin-8 and -9 as prognostic factors for cervical cancer

Aims Galectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins with multiple effects on cell biology. Research shows that they play an important role in tumor development and progression. In this study we examined the influence of Galectin-8 and -9 expression as histopathological markers on the survival of patients with cervical cancer.

Material and methods Gal-8 and -9 expression was investigated in 250 cervical cancer samples by immunohistochemistry. The staining was evaluated by using the immunoreactive score and the results were correlated to clinical-pathological data. The impact of Gal-8 and -9 expression on the overall- and relapse-free survival was analyzed.

Results Staining of Gal-8 was associated with low T-status (p= 0.008) and negative N-status (p= 0.006), while expression in squamous-epithelial-cancer (SCC) correlated to low FIGO status (p= 0.016) and grading (p= 0.020). Detection of Gal-9 was related to negative N-status (p= 0.012) and low FIGO stage (p= 0.009) regarding all specimens. A correlation of Gal-9 with low grading was only detected for adenocarcinomas (p= 0.047). Gal-8 determined the relapse-free survival of SCC patients in a positive manner (p= 0.030). Gal-9 expression served as a prognostic marker for better overall (p= 0.003) and relapse-free survival (p = 0.037).

Conclusion Our results suggest that expression of both galectins is inversely associated with tumor stage and progression. Further studies are necessary in order to analyze the use of Gal-8 and Gal-9 as potential markers in the daily clinical life.

Funding Internal departmental funding.

Interessenkonflikt

Theresa M. Kolben is employed at Roche and holds stock of Roche. Alexander Burges has received advisory board an honoraria from AstraZeneca, Roche, and Tesaro. Fabian Trillsch declares Research support, advisory board, honoraria and travel expenses from AstraZeneca, Clovis, Medac, PharmaMar, Roche, Tesaro Sven Mahner has received Research support, advisory board, honoraria and travel expenses from AstraZeneca, Clovis, Eisai, GlaxoSmithKline, Medac, MSD, Novartis, Olympus, PharmaMar, Roche, Sensor Kinesis, Teva, Tesaro. Thomas Kolben has a relative employed at Roche and holds stock of Roche. All other authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Publication History

Article published online:
07 October 2020