Oncology

Galectin belongs to the family of lectins that has the ability to bind to β-galactose, and binds to glycoproteins that are present on the extracellular as well as intracellular surface. Galectins have varied roles in many cellular functions like adhesion, migration, polarity, chemotaxis, proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation, with 15 mammalian galectins being identified till now. Out of all types of galectins, Galectin-1 and Galectin-3 plays an important role in progression of cancer and its metastasis. There are drugs being developed for the inhibition of Galectins- particularly Galectin-1 and Galectin-3- where chemically modified heparin derivatives like N-ac...