Serum level of galectin-3 in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

ABSTRACT

Galectin-3, a member of the family of beta-galactoside-binding animal lectins, has been implicated in tumor invasion and metastasis. Using an ELISA kit, we assessed the circulating levels of galectin-3 in sera from 40 oral squamous cell carcinoma [OSCC] patients and from 43 healthy controls. Serum galectin-3 levels in OSCC patients were significantly higher [5.1 +/- 2.5 ng/ml] when compared with healthy controls [2.6 +/- 3.07 ng/ml, P<0.0005]. There was no apparent correlation between serum galectin-3 concentration and clinico-pathological features such as stage, tumor size, nodal status, distant metastasis and histological grade. This result suggests that, in addition to other tests, measurement of serum galectin-3 concentrations can be utilized as an adjuvant test for establishing a diagnosis of OSCC