Abstract
Ovarian neoplasms are among the most common in the female genital tract and often have delayed diagnosis. Tumor progression involves signalling proteins called galectins. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of galectins “1”, “3” and “9” in the ovarian surface epithelial neoplasia. A retrospective study involving 62 ovarian epithelial tumors (benign and non-benign) was performed with immunohistochemical polymer technique and antibodies against galectin “1”, “3” and “9”. Expression in epithelium and stroma was analysed semi-quantitatively. Fisher’s exact test was performed for statistical analysis. Galectin-“1” and “3” were strongly expressed in non-benign tumors of the epithelium. Non-benign neoplasms showed increased stromal expression of galectin-1 and increased epithelial expression of galectin-“3”. The significant increase in expression of galectin-1 and -3 in the epithelium of non- benign ovarian neoplasms suggests the participation of these galectins in ovarian carcinogenesis. We observed increased stromal expression of galectin-“1” and epithelial expression of galectin-“3” in non-benign ovarian neoplasms. These findings contribute to knowledge about the role of these galectins in the growth and spread of ovarian cancer.
Highlights
Ovarian neoplasms occur with high incidence in the female genital tract [1]
It is speculated that Gal-“3” expression plays some role in late-stage tumor progression, favouring chemoresistance and development of metastases [11]
Gal-“9” is reported to be involved in carcinogenesis in other different tumor [13]. It is not yet established in the literature whether Gal plays an important role in ovarian carcinogenesis
Summary
Ovarian neoplasms occur with high incidence in the female genital tract [1]. About 75% are initially diagnosed at an advanced stage. Gal has been studied in association with several types of cancer, with Gal-“1” and “3” being the most commonly studied. It is speculated that Gal-“3” expression plays some role in late-stage tumor progression, favouring chemoresistance and development of metastases [11]. Increased Gal-“1” expression is common in different types of cancer, in metastatic tumors [5, 12]. Gal-“9” is reported to be involved in carcinogenesis in other different tumor [13] It is not yet established in the literature whether Gal plays an important role in ovarian carcinogenesis. We did not find studies on the expression of Gal-“9” in these tumors This justifies the present study, which intends to evaluate immunohistochemical expression of Gal-“1”, “3” and “9” in ovarian surface epithelial neoplasms
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