In a recent finding, Scientists have revealed that biomarker galectin-3 could be used to assess cancer progression and inflammation.
Dr. Isaac Eliaz, M.D. of Amitabha Medical Clinic in its report presented the first published case with the documentation of the clinical use of galectin-3 in order to monitor cancer progression and treatment response, as well as inflammatory conditions.
This finding of the study focuses to an expanded clinical model with the use of galectin-3 testing in the diagnostic and prognostic assessment of numerous chronic, inflammatory diseases.
Unlike biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), which only indicate the presence of inflammation, galactin-3 is responsible to play a direct role in initiating the progression of disease.
Galactin-3 is a protein usually found in the body at low concentrations, where it is involved in various functions including cell growth and communication. However, at enhanced levels, galectin-3 triggers numerous pathologic processes, which also includes chronic inflammation and the progression of inflammation to fibrosis; cancer cell adhesion, migration, angiogenesis, and metastasis.
Increased level of galectin-3 also allows cancer cells to elude immune response. The research also shows elevated galectin-3 levels in patients with melanoma, lung, breast, prostate, colorectal, ovarian, and head and neck cancers as well as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and others. Higher levels of Galectin-3 are also found in increased state in patients with metastatic disease than in patients with localized tumors.
The details of the report have been published in the Case Reports in Oncology.
-With inputs from ANI
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