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Lack of Expression of Galectin-3 Is Associated With a Poor Outcome in Node-Negative Patients With Laryngeal Squamous-Cell Carcinoma

From the Department of Oncology and Neurosciences, "G. D’Annunzio" University, Chieti, and Departments of Otolaryngology, Pathology, and Histology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.

Address reprint requests to Mauro Piantelli, MD, Department of Oncology and Neurosciences, c/o SeBi Building, "G. D’Annunzio" University, via dei Vestini, I-66100 Chieti, Italy; email: mpiantelli{at}unich.it

PURPOSE: Galectin-3 is a pleiotropic carbohydrate-binding protein participating in a variety of normal and pathologic processes, including cancer progression. This study was aimed at evaluating the prognostic value of galectin-3 expression in node-negative laryngeal squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Galectin-3 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry using M3/38 monoclonal antibody, in a single-institution series of 73 node-negative laryngeal SCC patients (median follow-up, 52 months; range, 2 to 90 months).

RESULTS: Forty-two (57.5%) of 73 patients expressed galectin-3. Galectin-3 expression was positively associated with tumor keratinization and histologic grade. A significant correlation was found between galectin-3 tumor positivity and longer relapse-free and overall survival. In univariate analysis, high-grade (grade 3 or 4) tumors, nonkeratinizing tumors, and galectin-3–negative tumors showed a significantly increased risk of relapse and death. In multivariate analysis, only galectin-3 expression retained an independent prognostic significance for both relapse-free and overall survival.

CONCLUSION: We conclude that the absence of galectin-3 expression is an independent negative prognostic marker in laryngeal SCC patients. Thus, histochemical detection of galectin-3 in these tumors could be useful for the selection of node-negative patients with potentially unfavorable outcomes, to establish adjuvant therapy protocols.

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