Expression and Clinical Significance of Galectin-3 in Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objective:To investigate the expression and role of Galectin-3 in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia(CIN) and squamous cell carcinoma(SCC).Methods:60 paraffin samples with CIN and SCC diagnosed by pathology were selected,and 10 cases of normal cervical(NC) tissue taken from hysterectomy uterus because of leiomyoma were as control.The expression of Galectin-3 in CIN and SCC were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results:In NC,CIN,SCC and SCC stage Ⅰ-Ⅲ,the positive expression rate of Galectin-3 were 40.00%、50.00%、83.33%、70.00%、90.00% and 90.00% respectively.There was significant difference of positive expression rate of Galectin-3 in NC、CIN and SCC group(χ2=9.559,P =0.049).The positive expression rate of Galectin-3 in SCC stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ were significantly greater than that in NC group(χ2=5.495,P=0.029).There was statistical difference of Galectin-3 expression between tumor sizes more than 2 cm and less than 2 cm(χ2=4.690,P=0.047).Conclusions:The positive Galectin-3 expression in SCC is associated with tumor sizes,but is no relationship with tumor differentiation.The positive expression rate of Galectin-3 is high with progression of cervical lesions.Galectin-3 may play some important roles in the occurrence and progression of SCC.