Galectin-1, a novel promising target for outcome prediction and treatment in SCLC

Introduction: small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is one of the most lethal malignancies. Its management is complex due to the lack of biomarkers and limited therapies. Galectin-1 (Gal-1) plays a major role in cancer development and progression. The aim of this study is to assess whether Gal-1 has a predictive role in the disease evolution and its therapeutic potential.

Material and methods: The expression level of Gal-1 was examined by using a public RNA-sequencing (77 SCLC patients) and in-house immunohistochemistry (IHC) performed on biopsies from 81 patients. Survival curves and Cox regression analysis were used to assess the prognostic potential of Gal-1. In addition, a SCLC-PDX model was carried out and treated with either OTX008, an inhibitor of Gal-1, or vehicle to assess the effects of Gal-1 inhibition on this disease in vivo.

Results: Galectin-1 gene (LGALS1) expression showed a strong negative correlation with outcome in SCLC patients with advanced disease (p = 0.007). IHC unveiled that overall survival (OS) was significantly lower among extensive-stage SCLC (ES-SCLC) patient group with increased level of Gal-1 and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) (HR=3.07, 95% CI: 1.62, 5.79, p < 0.001). The SCLC-PDX model showed a significant reduction in tumor size (tumor growth inhibition [TGI] index 73%) without side effects.

Discussion: in this study, high levels of Gal-1 and PLR were associated with poorer OS in SCLC patients, supporting their utility as clinical prognostic biomarkers. Moreover, the in vivo model suggests the inhibition of Gal-1 as a novel potential therapy for this disease with very poor prognosis.