Gal-1 Expression Analysis in the GLIOCAT Multicenter Study: Role as a Prognostic Factor and an Immune-Suppressive...

Area of Science:

• Neuro-oncology
• Cancer immunology
• Molecular pathology

Background:

• Glioblastoma (GBM) has a poor prognosis, and current treatments, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, offer limited survival benefits.
• New therapeutic targets and biomarkers are crucial for improving GBM patient outcomes.
• Galectin-1 (Gal-1) is implicated in tumor progression, including proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and immune suppression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate Galectin-1 (Gal-1) expression in glioblastoma (GBM).
• To correlate Gal-1 expression with clinical and molecular data in GBM patients.
• To assess Gal-1's potential as a prognostic and immune-suppressive biomarker in GBM.

Main Methods:

• Immunohistochemistry was used to assess Gal-1 expression in a cohort of GBM patients (GLIOCAT project).
• Gal-1 expression levels were correlated with clinical data, tumor subtypes, and established GBM biomarkers.
• Immune suppressive signatures of CD4 T-cells and macrophages were analyzed in relation to Gal-1 expression.

Main Results:

• Gal-1 was identified as a negative prognostic factor in GBM.
• Higher Gal-1 expression was observed in mesenchymal/classical GBM subtypes compared to the proneural subtype.
• Gal-1 expression correlated with immune suppressive signatures and several GBM biomarkers (e.g., PD-L1, SOX2, Ki-67).
• Lower Gal-1 levels were found in IDH-1 mutant astrocytomas, which have a better prognosis.

Conclusions:

• Galectin-1 (Gal-1) is confirmed as a prognostic factor in glioblastoma (GBM).
• Gal-1 expression is associated with aggressive tumor subtypes and immune suppression.
• Gal-1 shows potential as a valuable immune-suppressive biomarker for GBM.