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Galectin-9 in cancer therapy: from immune checkpoint ligand to promising therapeutic target

Minpu Zhang1, Cun Liu2, Ye Li3

  • 1College of First Clinical Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|January 24, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Galectin-9 (Gal-9) influences tumor progression and interacts with immune cells, acting as an immune checkpoint. Understanding Gal-9

Area of Science:

  • Immunology and Cancer Biology

Background:

  • Galectin-9 (Gal-9) is a key galectin family member with diverse biological functions.
  • Gal-9's interaction with tumors independently affects tumor progression.
  • Gal-9 in the tumor immune microenvironment modulates immune cells, identifying it as an immune checkpoint.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the latest advances in Gal-9's role in various cancers and its immune microenvironment interactions.
  • To explore Gal-9's direct and indirect cross-talk in hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.
  • To discuss Gal-9's potential in tumor immunotherapy, including TIM-3 interactions and combination therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent research on Galectin-9 in cancer.
  • Analysis of Gal-9's interactions with tumor-associated immune cells.
  • Examination of Gal-9's role in both hematologic and solid tumors.

Main Results:

  • Gal-9 significantly influences tumor progression and acts as an immune checkpoint.
  • Gal-9 engages in complex cross-talk within the tumor immune microenvironment.
  • Evidence suggests Gal-9's involvement in both hematologic and solid tumor progression.

Conclusions:

  • Investigating Gal-9's role in cancer and its immune interactions offers novel immunotherapy strategies.
  • Gal-9's interaction with TIM-3 presents a promising avenue for targeted cancer immunotherapy.
  • Gal-9 holds potential for development in immune-combination therapies for various cancers.
Keywords:
biological functionsgalectin-9immunotharapypan-cancertherapeutic target

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