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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
08:33
An Ex vivo Culture System to Study Thyroid Development
Published on: June 6, 2014
Evaluation of galectin-8 expression in thyroid tumors
S Savin1, D Cvejić, M Janković
1Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy-INEP, University of Belgrade, Banatska 31b, 11080 Zemun-Belgrade, Serbia. ssavin@inep.co.yu
Medical Oncology (Northwood, London, England)
|November 15, 2008
Summary
Galectin-8 (gal-8) is highly expressed in papillary thyroid carcinoma, suggesting its potential as a diagnostic marker. However, gal-8 is not useful for differentiating follicular carcinoma from adenoma.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Galectin-8 (gal-8) expression is altered in neoplastic cell transformations.
- Thyroid cancer diagnosis and characterization are critical in clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate galectin-8 expression in normal and pathological human thyroid tissues.
- To evaluate galectin-8 as a potential biomarker for thyroid neoplasms.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze galectin-8 expression.
- 41 archival thyroid tissue samples (papillary carcinomas, follicular carcinomas, adenomas) and 36 adjacent normal/hyperplastic tissues were studied.
Main Results:
- Galectin-8 was detected in 87% of papillary thyroid carcinomas.
- Weaker galectin-8 staining was observed in 40% of follicular carcinomas and 40% of adenomas.
- Galectin-8 was undetectable in normal thyroid tissue and weakly positive in 29% of adjacent hyperplastic areas.
Conclusions:
- High galectin-8 expression in papillary thyroid carcinoma suggests its potential as a diagnostic marker.
- Galectin-8 is not helpful in differentiating follicular carcinoma from adenoma.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the biological functions of galectin-8 in thyroid lesions.
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