Galectin-3 and β-catenin are associated with a poor prognosis in serous epithelial ovarian cancer

PURPOSE: This study was designed to explore the expression levels of Galectin-3 (Gal-3) and β-catenin in serous epithelial ovarian cancer (SEOC), the linkage between their expressions, and the clinicopathological features of SEOC patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-four SEOC patients’ specimens were detected for Gal-3 and β-Catenin expressions using immunohistochemistry, and the association between β-catenin or Gal-3 protein expressions and clinicopathological features, treatment effects, and prognosis were analyzed using SPSS 19.0. Western blot was used to analyze protein expressions of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in ovarian cancer cell lines. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant positive correlation between Gal-3 and β-catenin expressions in SEOC (r=0.304 and P=0.001). Gal-3 expression was related to the grade (P=0.037), clinical stage (P=0.034), platinum resistance (P=0.030), and recurrence (P=0.001) in SEOC. There was a significant correlation between β-catenin with recurrence in SEOC (P=0.035). Platinum resistance (P=0.003) and Gal-3 expression (P<0.001) were independent risk factors for poorer overall survival (OS). OS of the strongly positive Gal-3 group was significantly lower than that of the negative and weakly positive groups (log-rank test, P=0.001). OS of the positive β-catenin group was lower than that of the negative β-catenin group (log-rank test, P=0.034). Downregulating Gal-3 expression attenuated the protein expressions of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in ovarian cancer cell lines. CONCLUSION: Gal-3 might activate Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in SEOC. Hence, Gal-3 may serve as a prognostic factor for SEOC. Targeting Gal-3 may be a promising new treatment approach for SEOC.