Galectins: a promising arsenal of novel immunotherapeutic weapons in oncology tunned by an array of non-coding RNAs

Galectins, a family of sugar-binding proteins, play a multifaceted role in human health and disease. They do not only regulate cellular processes but also influence tumor development and progression by promoting tumor growth, angiogenesis, metastasis, and most importantly, immune evasion. Unraveling their role in oncology opens doors for innovative therapies and novel diagnostic tools. Intriguingly, another layer of control emerges with non-coding RNAs, microRNAs, long ncRNAs, and circular RNAs. These RNA molecules act as master regulators in cancer by targeting galectins. This interplay between galectins and non-coding RNAs presents a golden opportunity for targeted control of cancer hallmarks in which galectins are highly involved. Manipulating this interaction can potentially increase the effectiveness of existing cancer therapies, particularly immunotherapy. This exciting avenue holds immense promises for the development of novel and targeted cancer therapies. In this review, the authors explore the complex interplay between ncRNAs and galectin across various types of cancer.