Am J Blood Res 2011;1(2):119-129
Review Article
Galectins in hematological malignancies
Yves St-Pierre
INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, Laval, Québec, Canada, H7V 1B7,
Received June 22, 2011; accepted August 1, 2011; Epub September 7, 2011; published September 30, 2011
Abstract: Carbohydrates are traditionally considered to be an important source of energy for living organisms. In the field of
biology, they are defined as organic compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen that are organized into ring
structures. The analysis of these structures and their functions has led to a new field of biology called “glycobiology.” In the
biomedical sciences, glycobiology is rapidly emerging to be an integral part of complex biological processes. Changes in
glycan structures and the interactions of these structures with endogenous carbohydrate-binding proteins, known as lectins,
are now considered to be potential biomarkers on cancer cells for monitoring tumor progression. Evidence suggesting that
the interactions between lectins and their ligands have a major role in the different steps of cancer progression has
accumulated at a rapid pace and has gained the attention of several oncologists. This is particularly true for galectin family
members because changes in their expression levels correlate with alterations in cancer cell growth, apoptosis, and cell-cell
and cell-matrix interactions. Here we provide an integrated view of the role of galectins in hematological malignancies.
(AJBR1106002).
Keywords: Galectins, lymphoma, apoptosis, gene profiling, immunosuppression
Full Text PDF
Address all correspondence to:
Dr. Yves St-Pierre
INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, 531 Boul.
Des Prairies, Laval, Québec, Canada, H7V 1B7.
Phone: 450-686-5354; Fax: 450-686-5501
E-mail: yves.st-pierre@iaf.inrs.ca
Review Article
Galectins in hematological malignancies
Yves St-Pierre
INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, Laval, Québec, Canada, H7V 1B7,
Received June 22, 2011; accepted August 1, 2011; Epub September 7, 2011; published September 30, 2011
Abstract: Carbohydrates are traditionally considered to be an important source of energy for living organisms. In the field of
biology, they are defined as organic compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen that are organized into ring
structures. The analysis of these structures and their functions has led to a new field of biology called “glycobiology.” In the
biomedical sciences, glycobiology is rapidly emerging to be an integral part of complex biological processes. Changes in
glycan structures and the interactions of these structures with endogenous carbohydrate-binding proteins, known as lectins,
are now considered to be potential biomarkers on cancer cells for monitoring tumor progression. Evidence suggesting that
the interactions between lectins and their ligands have a major role in the different steps of cancer progression has
accumulated at a rapid pace and has gained the attention of several oncologists. This is particularly true for galectin family
members because changes in their expression levels correlate with alterations in cancer cell growth, apoptosis, and cell-cell
and cell-matrix interactions. Here we provide an integrated view of the role of galectins in hematological malignancies.
(AJBR1106002).
Keywords: Galectins, lymphoma, apoptosis, gene profiling, immunosuppression
Full Text PDF
Address all correspondence to:
Dr. Yves St-Pierre
INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, 531 Boul.
Des Prairies, Laval, Québec, Canada, H7V 1B7.
Phone: 450-686-5354; Fax: 450-686-5501
E-mail: yves.st-pierre@iaf.inrs.ca
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