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Published on: October 1, 2015
Lactoferrin in human tumours: immunohistochemical investigations during more than 25 years
Giovanni Tuccari1, Gaetano Barresi
1Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria "Policlinico G.Martino", Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy. tuccari@unime.it
Insights
Lactoferrin (LF), an iron-binding glycoprotein, is present in various human tissues and secretions. This review examines LF
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Immunohistochemistry
Background:
- Lactoferrin (LF) is an iron-binding glycoprotein belonging to the transferrin family, exhibiting diverse physiological functions.
- Normally found in human blood, secretions, and fluids, LF's presence in various tissues has been documented since 1978.
- Previous research has explored LF's distribution in both normal and neoplastic human tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing literature and present novel data on Lactoferrin (LF) presence in human tumors.
- To investigate the pathogenetic role and anticancer activity of LF in neoplastic tissues using immunohistochemistry.
- To analyze LF immunoreactivity across different human tissues and modulate explanations for its presence and function.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of studies reporting LF in human tissues.
- Analysis of immunohistochemical data on LF distribution in normal and neoplastic tissues.
- In vivo and in vitro experimental evidence evaluation for LF function.
Main Results:
- Evidence of LF presence in various human tumors is compiled from literature and original research.
- Immunohistochemical analysis reveals LF immunoreactivity patterns in different human tissues.
- Experimental data provides insights into the potential function of LF in specific sites and tissues.
Conclusions:
- Lactoferrin (LF) is demonstrably present in human tumors, suggesting a potential role in cancer.
- Immunohistochemistry is a valuable tool for investigating LF's distribution and function in oncology.
- Further research is warranted to fully elucidate LF's pathogenetic role and therapeutic potential in cancer.
Abstract:
Lactoferrin (LF) is an iron-binding glycoprotein of the transferrin family, today known to have multifunctional physiological activities. In humans, under normal conditions, LF has been found in blood, mucosal secretions, gastrointestinal fluids, urine and mostly in milk and colostrum. The first pioneering immunohistochemical report about LF distribution in human tissues dated in 1978; successively, many studies have been performed to analyze the LF immunohistochemical pattern in different normal and neoplastic tissues. In this review, we present data from literature concerning the evidence of LF in tumors together with those by us obtained during more than 25 years; the immunohistochemical applications to human neoplastic tissues have been done to investigate the LF pathogenetic role as well as its activity in cancer. After a systematic analysis of LF immunoreactivity in different human districts, a possible explanation for its presence and function has been modulated for each site or tissue, according to experimental evidences obtained either by in vivo as well as by in vitro studies.
