LGALS12 (galectin-12) is a tissue-specific galectin that binds lactose and functions primarily as a regulator of cell growth and apoptosis 1. This intracellular protein has been shown to regulate both apoptosis and cell cycle progression 1. In adipocytes, LGALS12 participates in apoptosis regulation and influences lipid metabolism; notably, its secretion is inhibited upon neutrophilic differentiation and correlates with increased lipid droplet biogenesis 2. LGALS12 expression is regulated by O-GlcNAc homeostasis, a post-translational modification mechanism affecting galectin secretion 3. Clinically, LGALS12 has emerged as a potential prognostic marker in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), where patients with lower LGALS12 expression demonstrate significantly lower overall survival (p<0.026) 4. Additionally, LGALS12 methylation patterns predict prognosis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma, with upregulated expression in tumor tissues 5. These findings suggest LGALS12 functions as both a metabolic regulator in adipose tissue and a potential cancer-associated prognostic biomarker, though its precise mechanisms in malignant transformation require further investigation.