Galectins are beta-galactoside-binding lectins that play multiple roles during tumor progression. Previous work conducted in our laboratory has demonstrated decreased galectin-3 expression in carcinomas from colon, breast, ovary and endometrium, compared to the corresponding normal tissues. In this study, we examined the pattern of galectin-3 expression by immunohistochemistry in a group of 10 basal cell carcinomas of the skin. In the surrounding normal skin, galectin-3 immunostaining was found predominantly in the middle epidermis (spine layer) and eccrine sweat glands. Compared to the normal epidermal cells, basal carcinoma cells observed in all 10 samples examined presented with significantly decreased galectin-3 immunostaining. These data further demonstrates that galectin-3 is down-regulated in a variety of human cancers, including basal cell carcinoma.

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