LGALS3 and cancer: Thus, since most of the activities of Gal-3 are associated with its carbohydrate-binding characteristics, the inhibition of the CRD by synthetic antagonists able to compete with the natural ligand seems to be a feasible option for therapeutic intervention; indeed, several inhibitors have been developed, and some of them are currently being evaluated in phase I or phase II clinical trials for various cancer types [12,13].