Serum Level of Galectin-۳ in Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Introduction: Galectin-۳, a member of the family of β-galactoside-binding animal lectins, has been implicated in tumor invasion and metastasis.Materials and Methods: Using an ELISAkit, we assessed the circulating levels of galectin-۳ in sera from ۴۰ oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients and from ۴۳ healthy controls.Results: Serum galectin-۳ levels in OSCC patients were significantly higher (۵.۱±۲.۵ ng/ml) when compared with healthy controls (۲.۶±۳.۰۷ ng/ml, P<۰.۰۰۰۵). There was no apparent correlation between serum galectin-۳ concentration and clinico-pathological features such as stage, tumor size, nodal status, distant metastasis and histological grade.Conclusion: This result suggests that, in addition to other tests, measurement of serum galectin-۳ concentrations can be utilized as an adjuvant test for establishing a diagnosis of OSCC.