Objective:

To synthesize current evidence on major galectin family members and their roles in tumor progression, immune regulation, metabolic changes, and therapeutic resistance.

Approach:

• Review of Galectin Functions: The review discusses the mechanistic roles of galectins in tumor immunity, metabolic rewiring, and metastasis, focusing on specific galectin members and their pathways.
• Analysis of Therapeutic Resistance: It examines how galectins contribute to resistance against various therapies, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
• Exploration of Therapeutic Strategies: The review highlights potential therapeutic strategies targeting galectins, including small-molecule inhibitors and combination therapies.

Key Findings:

• Galectins induce T-cell dysfunction through TIM-3 and PD-1 signaling.
• They reprogram macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells via PI3K/AKT, JAK/STAT, and NF-κB pathways.
• Galectins modulate innate immune effectors in a context-dependent manner.
• They influence tumor metabolism, affecting glycolysis and lipid metabolism.
• Galectins are implicated in resistance to various cancer therapies.

Interpretation:

Galectins serve as integrative regulators of tumor progression, linking immune and metabolic processes, and represent potential therapeutic targets in cancer treatment.

Limitations:

• The review does not provide experimental data to support the claims.
• It primarily focuses on specific galectin members without exhaustive coverage of all family members.

Conclusion:

Galectins are critical in tumor immunity and metabolism, suggesting that targeting these proteins could enhance cancer treatment strategies.