Contrary to the results of this study, high expression of GAL receptors induces antiproliferative effects by inducing apoptosis (19,32) and stimulation of GALR1-overexpressing oral squamous carcinoma cells with exogenous GAL induces ERK activation and is associated with suppression of cell proliferation and tumor growth in vivo (33). The gene discussed is GALR1; the disease is neoplasm.