凝集素是β-半乳糖苷结合蛋白质。凝集素-4在癌症进展/转移方面表现出影响，特别是在消化系统癌症中。这可以归因于细胞膜分子的改变糖基化模式，这是肿瘤发生的特征属性。本文的目的是系统地回顾不同癌症中的凝集素-4及其在疾病进展中的作用。研究基于Systematic Review和Meta-Analysis (PRISMA)指南设计。使用PubMed、Scopus、Web of Science和Science Direct搜索相关文献与关键词"凝集素-4 AND 癌症"、"凝集素-4"、"LGALS4"和"LGALS4 AND 癌症"。研究选择的包括完整的文章、英文文章和与当前主题即凝集素-4和癌症相关的文章。排除的研究条件是研究其他疾病状况、与癌症或凝集素-4无关的干预和偏见结果。从数据库中删除重复后共检索到73篇文章，其中40篇符合包括低到中等偏倚在内的入选标准。这些包括23篇消化系统、5篇生殖系统、4篇呼吸系统和2篇脑和尿路上皮癌研究。观察到在不同的癌症阶段/类型中存在凝集素-4的差异表达。此外，发现凝集素-4能够调节疾病进展。关于凝集素-4生物学不同方面的元分析和全面的机制研究，可以给出统计驱动的相关性，阐明凝集素-4在癌症中的多方面角色。本文受版权保护。版权所有。

Galectins are β-galactoside binding proteins. Galectin-4 has shown an effect on cancer progression/metastasis, especially in cancers of the digestive system. This can be attributed to altered glycosylation pattern of cell membrane molecules, which is a characteristic attribute of oncogenesis. The aim of this paper is to systematically review galectin-4 in different cancers and its role in disease progression.The study was designed on the basis of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct were used to search relevant literature with keywords "galectin-4 AND cancer", "galectin-4", "LGALS4", and "LGALS4 AND cancer". Inclusion criteria for study selection were availability of full-text articles, articles in English language and articles relevant to current topic, i.e., galectin-4 and cancer. Exclusion criteria were studies that investigated other disease conditions, interventions unrelated to cancer or galectin-4 and bias outcome.A total of 73 articles were retrieved after removing duplication from databases, out of which 40 studies were included in the review that followed the inclusion criteria, including low to moderate bias. These included 23 studies in digestive system, 5 in reproductive system, 4 in respiratory system, and 2 in brain and urothelial cancers.A differential expression of galectin-4 was observed in different cancer stages/ and types. Furthermore, galectin-4 was found to modulate disease progression. A meta-analysis and comprehensive mechanistic studies, pertaining to different aspects of galectin-4 biology, could give statistically driven correlations, elucidating multifaceted role of galectin-4 in cancer.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.