Their binding was shown to alter galectin-3 conformation and significantly inhibit galectin-3-mediated activities in cancer cell adhesion, invasion, angiogenesis and macrophage secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines min vitro, and markedly reduce galectin-3-mediated tumour growth and metastasis in vivo in mice as well as in chick embryos. The gene discussed is LGALS3; the disease is cancer.