The Galectin family is a group of proteins capable of specifically recognizing β-galactose residues, comprising various members such as galectin-1 to galectin-12. They possess at least one carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) and are widely distributed both intra- and extracellularly, including on the cell surface, cytoplasm, and nucleus. Galectins are involved in various biological processes such as cell adhesion, migration, immune response modulation, and tumor growth. They interact with glycosylated receptors, influencing signaling pathways such as cell apoptosis and inflammatory responses. Gene expression exhibits tissue specificity, and changes or mutations in expression are associated with various diseases, including cancer, inflammatory diseases, and immune dysregulation.