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Galectin‐1 expression in cancer‐associated stromal cells correlates tumor invasiveness and tumor progression in breast cancer
Author(s) -
Jung EunJung,
Moon HyeongGon,
Cho Bok Im,
Jeong ChiYoung,
Joo YoungTae,
Lee YoungJoon,
Hong SoonChan,
Choi SangKyung,
Ha WooSong,
Kim Jae Won,
Lee ChangWon,
Lee Jong Sil,
Park SoonTae
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/ijc.22434
Subject(s) - breast cancer , stromal cell , pathology , immunohistochemistry , cancer , cancer research , breast carcinoma , medicine , metastasis , immunostaining , lymph node , galectin , ca15 3 , biology , immunology
Understanding the molecular background of breast cancer biology is critical in developing new biomarkers for earlier diagnosis and more optimized treatment. We performed a proteomic analysis of human breast carcinoma tissues to investigate the tumor‐specific protein expression in breast carcinoma. Using 2‐dimensional electorphoresis (2‐DE) and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time of flight‐mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS), we were able to identify a list of proteins which are upregulated in cancerous tissue. There was significant increase of galectin‐1 expression in all cancerous tissues compared to noncancerous tissues, and its increased expression was further confirmed by western blot immunostaining. Subsequent immunohistochemical staining against galectin‐1 in 105 breast cancer specimens showed significant correlation between galectin‐1 expression in cancer‐associated stromal cells and tumor invasiveness, T stage, TNM stage, and axillary lymph node metastasis. Galectin‐1 expressionin cancer cells showed no correlation to above‐mentioned pathologic variables. Hormonal receptor status and galectin‐1 expression showed no correlation. This study demonstrates the upregulation of galectin‐1 in breast carcinoma tissues and the clinical significance of galectin‐1 in breast cancer patients. Our data supports the recently highlighted roles of galectin‐1 in cancer‐associated stroma and in tumor immune privilege. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.