Galectin-9 in Cancer Therapy

Title:Galectin-9 in Cancer Therapy

Volume: 7 Issue: 2

Author(s): Shintaro Fujihara, Hirohito Mori, Hideki Kobara, Kazi Rafiq, Toshiro Niki, Mitsuomi Hirashima and Tsutomu Masaki

Affiliation:

Keywords: Anti-cancer therapy, Galectin-9, recombinant galectin-9

Abstract: Galectin-9 is a tandem-repeat type galectin with two carbohydrate-recognition domains, and it was first identified as an eosinophil chemoattractant and activation factor. Subsequent studies revealed that galectin-9, similar to other galectins, modulates a variety of biological functions including cell aggregation and adhesion, as well as apoptosis of tumor cells. Galectin-9 has recently been shown to have an anti-proliferative effect on cancer cells. Recent studies have uncovered additional mechanisms by which T cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 (Tim-3), a receptor for galectin-9, negatively regulates T cell responses by promoting CD8+ T cell exhaustion and inducing expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells. These mechanisms are involved in tumor growth and escape from immunity. In many solid cancers, the loss of galectin-9 expression is closely associated with metastatic progression, and treatment with recombinant galectin-9 prevents metastatic spread in various preclinical cancer models. Here, we review the biology and physiological role of galectin-9, and discuss the therapeutic potential of galectin-9 in cancer as well as relevant patents.

Cite this article as:

Fujihara Shintaro, Mori Hirohito, Kobara Hideki, Rafiq Kazi, Niki Toshiro, Hirashima Mitsuomi and Masaki Tsutomu, Galectin-9 in Cancer Therapy, Recent Patents on Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Drug Discovery (Discontinued) 2013; 7 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1872214811307020006