Galectins: From theory to therapy

The Galectins: From Theory to Therapy meeting covered a broad range of research focused on understanding galectin biological function via studies of carbohydrate binding specificity, extracellular glycan binding and intracellular functions such as Ras signaling, as well as genetically engineered mouse models. Other research focused on the importance of galectins in angiogenesis and cancer, and on how galectins may protect cancerous cells from chemotherapy. Presentations described methods for identifying galectins as biomarkers and for antagonizing galectin function through the design and use of various therapeutic agents that target the galectin CRD and non-CRD domains using antibodies, peptides and peptidomimetics. Although significant progress has been made to increase the knowledge of galectin function, additional research is necessary and warranted, and novel potential therapeutics require further development before entering the clinic. However, research conducted to date suggests that galectin antagonists hold considerable promise as treatments against pathological disorders such as cancer.