Abstract:

Objective   To investigate  expression of Gal-1 in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue (TSCC), and  correlation with clinicopathological parameters. Methods   36 paraffin embedded specimens of TSCC were probed with Gal-1 antibody by the immunohistochemistrical method. The relationship between Gal-1 expression and clinicopathological parameters was analyzed. Results   Overexpression was found in  cancer cells. The positive reaction was predominately located in the cytoplasm. Tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis and the degree of lymphocyte infiltration showed a statistically significant correlation with  Gal-1 expression. Conclusion   Gal-1 expression correlates to the progression of squamous cell carcinoma, and may play an important role in tumor cell invasion and metastasis. Gal-1 might be used as a new biomarker in diagnosis and a target for cancer therapy.

Key words: Squamous cell carcinoma of tongue; Galectin-1; Immunohistochemistry; Lymph nodes metastasis; Lymphocyte infiltration