ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the connection of Galectin 3 with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk.

Methods: Publications were searched using PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Chinese databases (including CNKI and WanFang) up to October 2015.

Results: A total of four studies were included in this analysis. The pooled mean difference for HCC versus hepatitis was (1.98 (95% CI: 1.13, 2.83, Z = 4.57, p < 0.00001)) and for HCC versus healthy person was (2.29 (95% CI: 2.09, 2.5, Z = 21.78, p < 0.00001).. The serum Galectin 3 level in HCC was significantly higher than that in hepatitis and healthy person. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.93 (95% CI: 0.86, 0.97) and 0.83 (95% CI: 0.74, 0.90), the pooled diagnostic odds ratio were 116.78 (95% CI: 0.13, 102122.46), the pooled positive likelihood ratio were 12.71 (95% CI: 0.12, 1374.27), and the pooled negative LR were 0.11 (95% CI: 0.00, 12.51).

Conclusion: The serum Galectin 3 level in HCC is higher than that in hepatitis and healthy person. Serum Galectin 3 may be a possible biomarker for diagnosis of HCC.