Galectin-3 expression: a useful tool in the differential diagnosis of posterior fossa tumors in children
- نوع فایل : کتاب
- زبان : انگلیسی
- مؤلف : Carolina Bisinoto Borges & Emerson Soares Bernardes & ةlder Francisco Latorraca & Aline Paixمo Becker & Luciano Neder & Roger Chammas & Maria Cristina
- چاپ و سال / کشور: 2010
Description
Objective 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. Material and methods 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). Results 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. Conclusions 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.
Childs Nerv Syst (2011) 27:253–257 DOI 10.1007/s00381-010-1262-3 Received: 12 July 2010 / Accepted: 30 July 2010 / Published online: 14 August 2010
