Abstract
Circulating galectin-3 (gal-3) has been reported to induce angiogenetic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and interleukin (IL)-6. Circulating gal-3, VEGF, G-CSF, and IL-6 concentrations were investigated in patients with hepato-biliary and pancreatic cancer (n = 63), in relation to various nutritional and inflammatory factors, such as retinol binding protein, transferrin, prealbumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count (WBC), and the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR). Serum galectin-3 concentrations were significantly higher in patients than in healthy controls (P < 0.001). Circulating gal-3 concentrations were significantly correlated with VEGF, ICAM-1, G-CSF, and NLR concentrations (P < 0.05), whereas they were inversely correlated with IL-12 production (P < 0.05). Circulating gal-3 might have a role in the induction of angiogenetic factors and Th-2-dominant immunological status in hepato-biliary and pancreatic cancer.
