Serum Galectin-3 in Advanced Melanoma Patients: A Hypothesis on a Possible Role in Melanoma Progression and Inflammation

Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a member of the family of β-galactoside-binding mammalian lectins known as galectins.1 To date, 14 galectins have been described and various members of the galectin family have been shown to modulate cell growth, cell adhesion and cell apoptosis.2 Galectin-3 has been reported to be expressed in the nucleus, in the cytoplasm and on the cell surface, and can be secreted without a signal peptide into the extracellular compartment by an unusual secretory mechanism.3 Several in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated a possible role for this protein in tumour invasion, metastatic cascade and inflammation.2,4,5