ABSTRACT
Cancer/testis genes [CT-genes] are a family gene which only express in normal testis tissue; some of them are randomly expressed in some types of cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of expression of CT-genes in the patients with breast cancer. Thirty two breast cancer tissue samples were prepared. Expression of NY-ESO-1 1a, NY-ESO-1 1b, SCP1, SSX-2 and MAGE-3 genes, as well as GAPDH [internal control], were studied by multiplex RT-PCR method. Three [9%] of 32 tumor samples expressed mRNA of NY-ESO-1 1a, while six [19%] of 32 tumor samples expressed mRNA of NY-ESO-1 1b. Seven [22%] and two [6%] of 32 tumor samples expressed mRNA of SCP1 and mRNA of MAGE3, respectively. Overall, Thirteen [41%] samples expressed one of the studied genes. NY-ESO-1 and SCP1 genes had the highest frequency of expression of mRNA. It is suggested that more number of breast cancer tumor samples should be examined to evaluate expression of CT-genes. SCP1 and NY-ESO-1 proteins may promote future breast cancer immunotherapy