GALECTIN-3 AS A PROGNOSTIC BIOMARKER IN PATIENTS WITH NON-HODGKIN LYMPHOMA

The aim of the study - to evaluate the prognostic value of galectin-3 for cumulative survival in patients with controlled non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Eighty two out subjects with full or partial remission of non-Hodgkin lymphoma were enrolled in the study. Observation period was up to 12 months. Blood samples for biomarkers measurements were collected. ELISA method for measurements of circulating level of Gal-3 and NT-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was used. Hemodynamic evaluation was performed by transthoracic echocardiography. Fifty five cumulative clinical events occurred in 21 patients (25.6%) within the follow-up, with their distribution being as follows: 5 cardiovascular deaths, 24 cardiac arrhythmias, 8 cardiac ischemic events, 3 strokes, 9 chronic heart failures and 6 hospital admissions for cardiovascular reasons. Circulating levels of Gal-3 in subjects without and with cardiovascular events were 5.37 ng/ml (95% confidence interval [CI]=2.90-7.85 ng/ml) and 13.97 ng/ml (95% CI=7.82-20.11 ng/ml) (P=0.03) respectively. The results of regression analysis showed directly related circulating Gal-3 with E/Em (r=0.45, P=0.045), T2DM (r=0.38, P=0.01). Multivariate logistic regression revealed independent predictive value of circulating Gal-3 for 12 months cumulative cardiovascular events (odds ratio [OR]=1.11; 95% CI=1.05-1.25; P=0.005). In fact, Gal-3, NT-pro-BNP, GFR, and LVEF remained statistically significant predictors for cumulative cardiovascular events, whereas T2DM, hypertension, obesity did not. Increased circulating Gal-3 associates with increased 12 months cumulative cardiovascular events among patients with documented non-Hodgkin lymphoma.