Multifaceted role of galectin‐4 in cancer: A systematic review

Abstract Background Galectins are β‐galactoside‐binding proteins. Galectin‐4 has shown an effect on cancer progression/metastasis, especially in cancers of the digestive system. This can be attributed to altered glycosylation pattern of cell membrane molecules, which is a characteristic attribute of oncogenesis. The aim of this paper is to systematically review galectin‐4 in different cancers and its role in disease progression. Methods The study was designed on the basis of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct were used to search relevant literature with keywords “galectin‐4 AND cancer”, “galectin‐4”, “LGALS4”, and “LGALS4 AND cancer”. Inclusion criteria for study selection were availability of full‐text articles, articles in English language and articles relevant to current topic, that is, galectin‐4 and cancer. Exclusion criteria were studies that investigated other disease conditions, interventions unrelated to cancer or galectin‐4 and bias outcome. Results A total of 73 articles were retrieved after removing duplication from databases, out of which 40 studies were included in the review that followed the inclusion criteria, including low to moderate bias. These included 23 studies in digestive system, 5 in reproductive system, 4 in respiratory system, and 2 in brain and urothelial cancers. Conclusions A differential expression of galectin‐4 was observed in different cancer stages/ and types. Furthermore, galectin‐4 was found to modulate disease progression. A meta‐analysis and comprehensive mechanistic studies, pertaining to different aspects of galectin‐4 biology, could give statistically driven correlations, elucidating multifaceted role of galectin‐4 in cancer.