Galectin-3 expression: a useful tool in the differential diagnosis of posterior fossa tumors in children

Autor(es)

Borges, Carolina Bisinoto ^[1] ; Bernardes, Emerson Soares ^[1] ; Latorraca, Elder Francisco ^[2] ; Becker, Aline Paixao ^[2] ; Neder, Luciano ^[2] ; Chammas, Roger ^[3] ; Roque-Barreira, Maria Cristina ^[1] ; Machado, Helio Rubens ^[4] ; de Oliveira, Ricardo Santos ^[4]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Sch Med, Dept Cell & Mol Biol & Pathogen Bioagents, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Sch Med, Dept Pathol, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Expt Oncol Lab, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Sch Med, Dept Surg & Anat, Div Pediat Neurosurg, BR-14049900 Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: CHILD'S NERVOUS SYSTEM; v. 27, n. 2, p. 253-257, FEB 2011.
• Citações Web of Science: 5

Resumo

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a glycan-binding protein highly expressed in several tumors, including brain neoplasms. This protein has been demonstrated to be correlated with adverse prognosis in some tumor types. However, the role of Gal-3 in pediatric posterior fossa tumors (PPFTs) has not yet been fully addressed. The goals of this study were to evaluate Gal-3 expression in a series of PPFTs and verify whether this expression is related to patient outcome. Gal-3 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in 42 cases of surgically resected primary PPFTs. Surgeries were performed in our institution from January 2003 to December 2006. Tumor samples consisted of 21 pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs), 13 medulloblastomas, 4 ependymomas, 2 diffuse cerebellar astrocytomas, and 2 atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RTs). All PAs and ependymomas strongly showed Gal-3 expression, whereas no immunostaining was observed in medulloblastomas and diffuse astrocytomas. In AT/RTs, Gal-3 expression was conspicuous but heterogeneous, being mainly observed in rhabdoid cells. Concerning the Gal-3 expressing tumors, no relationship was observed between the degree of expression and patient survival. Gal-3 was strongly expressed in reactive astrocytes, normal endothelial cells, and macrophages in the adjacent non-neoplastic brain parenchyma. Interestingly, the endothelial cells in the tumor bulk of PAs lacked Gal-3 expression. Gal-3 is differentially expressed in PPFTs, but its expression shows no correlation with patient outcome. However, the evaluation of Gal-3 is helpful in establishing a differential diagnosis among PPFTs, especially between PAs and diffuse astrocytomas, and in some circumstances between medulloblastomas and AT/RTs. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 09/08497-6 - Validação da expressão gênica de novos marcadores moleculares em gliomas
• Beneficiário: Luciano Neder Serafini
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Exterior - Novas Fronteiras
• Processo FAPESP: 06/60642-2 - Efeitos biológicos e aplicações farmacêuticas de lectinas
• Beneficiário: Maria Cristina Roque Antunes Barreira
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Temático