Emerging Role of Galectins as Molecular Targets for Cancer Therapy: A Review
https://doi.org/10.47836/mjmhs.19.5.43
- Author:
Mohammad Anjum Shaik
1
;
Hong- Wai Tham
1
Author Information
1. Faculty of Pharmacy, SEGI University, 9 Jalan Teknologi, Taman Sains Selangor, PJU 5, Kota Damansara, 47810, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Galectins, Apoptosis, Metastasis, Angiogenesis, Therapeutics
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
2023;19(No.5):378-388
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
In recent decades cancer incidences and mortality rates have increased. Although there is significant progress in
identifying the root causes and emerging therapies, there are many molecular, cellular mechanism’s unrevealed and
current treatments have yet to deliver on their promises. Common characteristics of cancer that are controlled by
various mechanisms, including those involving glycosylation-dependent proliferative signalling, the ability of tumor
cells and their microenvironment to sustain proliferative signalling, enhancing the replicative immortality, evading
the effects of growth suppressors, resisting apoptosis, sustaining invasion and metastasis, stimulation of angiogenesis
and triggering immune response are few to name. An evolutionarily conserved family of glycan-binding proteins
known as galectins has a significant impact in controlling these cascades. Galectins belong to animal lectin family
that function by interacting with matrix glyco-proteins on extracellular surface and also with nuclear proteins modulating the cell signalling cascades intracellularly. In this review, we analyse how galectins influence the cellular
pathways that control tumor activity, providing relevant examples and highlighting their therapeutic perspective in
the fight against cancer.
- Full text:11.2023my1645.pdf
