Resumo

OLIVEIRA, Denise Hélen Imaculada Pereira de et al. Expression of galectins in oral squamous cell carcinoma. RGO, Rev. gaúch. odontol. (Online) [online]. 2013, vol.61, suppl.1, pp. 511-517. ISSN 1981-8637.

The oral squamous cell carcinoma represents the most prevalent malignancy in the oral cavity. In spite of recent advances in treatment, it has a lower survival rate compared to other types of cancers. The study of biormarkers that help the clinical management, as the study of the power of invasion of tumors, has received considerable attention from researchers. In this context, include the galectins, protein family of animal lectins, which are involved in various biological processes in organisms such as cell cycle control, immune response, cell adhesion, apoptosis and metastasis. Currently, 15 members of the family of galectins are characterized in mammalians. As sensitive, stable and easy tools to use, galectins are widely used to recognize changes in the surfaces of tumor cells. However, the possible involvement of galectins in tumor development is still much debated. This article is a literature review that presents information of the expression of galectins 1 and 3 in oral squamous cell carcinoma, considering its multifunctional role in biological processes.

Palavras-chave : Carcinoma squamous cells.; Galectins.; Biological processes..