Galectin-3 is a member of the lectin family, of which 14 mammalian galectins have been identified. Galectin-3 is approximately 30 kDa and, like all galectins, contains a carbohydrate-recognition-binding domain (CRD) of about 130 amino acids that enable the specific binding of β-galactosides. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is also a member of the beta-galactoside-binding protein family that plays an important role in cell-cell adhesion, cell-matrix interactions, macrophage activation, angiogenesis, metastasis, apoptosis. Galectin-3 is increasingly being used as a diagnostic marker for different cancers. It can be screened for and used as a prognostic factor to predict the progression of the cancer. Galectin-3 has varying effects in different types of cancer. One approach to cancers with high galectin-3 expression is to inhibit galectin-3 to enhance treatment response.
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