The Significance of Galectin-1 and Galectin-9 Expression in Endometrial Carcinoma

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the expression of Galectin-1 and -9 and clinicopathological features in endometrial carcinoma (EC). Methods: Normal endometrium (NE), atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AH), and endometrial cancer were collected, and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of Galectin-1 and -9 in all specimens in the same condition. Results: The positive rate of Galectin-1 expression in NE, AH, and endometrial cancer was 30, 70, and 90.2%. The positive rate of Galectin-9 expression in them was 20, 75, and 78.4%, respectively. The expression of Galectin-1 and -9 in the EC and AH was significantly higher than that in the NE (p< 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the EC and the AH (p > 0.05). The expression of Galectin-1 in endometrial adenocarcinoma was significantly different among tissues of different histological grades, pathological stages, degrees of myometrial infiltration, or lymph node metastasis (p > 0.05). The expression of Galectin-9 in endometrial adenocarcinoma was significantly different among different historical grades, pathological stages, degrees of myometrial infiltration, and lymph node metastasis (p < 0.05). The expression of Galectin-9 in tissues at an early stage, with the degree of myometrial infiltration <1/2, and without lymph node metastasis, was significantly stronger than in those in the late stage, with a degree of myometrial infiltration ≥1/2 and lymph node metastasis. Conclusion: Both Galectin-1 and -9 were associated with the occurrence of EC and its pathological behavior. High expression of Galectin-1 suggests a poor prognosis, whereas high expression of Galectin-9 was associated with early pathological changes. Galectin-1 and -9 can provide references for early screening and indicate the prognosis of endometrial lesions, which are of great significance for patients’ quality of life.