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Loss of galectin-3 expression correlates with clear cell renal carcinoma progression and reduced survival

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Abstract

Objectives

Galectin-3 is a member of the glycoprotein family, actively involved in various biological interactions including cell growth, cell adhesion, cell differentiation and apoptosis. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of galectin-3 in clear cell renal carcinoma and to assess its prognostic significance.

Methods

The expression of galectin-3 was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 149 clear cell renal carcinomas. The levels were correlated to established clinical parameters such as nuclear grade, pathological stage, lymph node, distant metastasis, and patients’ survival.

Results

In normal kidney tissue, the expression of galectin-3 was found to be uniformly present in the tubular epithelial cells. A decrease of antigen expression levels were significantly associated with higher T-stages (P < 0.02), unfavourable long-term prognosis in univariate Kaplan–Meier (P < 0.007) and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses (P < 0.04). Univariate analysis could demonstrate an association with tumor-specific death with decreased galectin-3 expression, whereas multivariate analysis failed to prove the aforementioned observation.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that a loss of galectin-3 expression is involved in renal carcinogenesis.

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Acknowledgments

The immunohistochemical experiments have been performed in the laboratory facilities of Dr. Vinata B. Lokeshwar (University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine). We greatly thank her for providing the antibody for galectin-3 and continuous support and scientific discussion throughout the course of this work.

Conflict of interest statement

Axel S. Merseburger was partly sponsored by a grant from MSD Sharp Dome. Mario W. Kramer was supported by a grant from the BMEP (Biomedical Science Exchange Program).

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Correspondence to Markus A. Kuczyk.

Additional information

Axel S. Merseburger and Mario W. Kramer contributed equally to the manuscript.

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Merseburger, A.S., Kramer, M.W., Hennenlotter, J. et al. Loss of galectin-3 expression correlates with clear cell renal carcinoma progression and reduced survival. World J Urol 26, 637–642 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-008-0294-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-008-0294-8

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