ABSTRACT
Background: Cancer testis antigens (CTA) are normally expressed in immune privileged tissues such as the testis. They are considered tumor-associated antigens because they are specifically expressed in different cancers. Their distinct nature rendered them appealing targets for cancer diagnosis, prognosis. and immunotherapy. We aimed to identify the association of two CTA genes with colon cancer (CC) in a cohort of Egyptian patients. Methods: We measured the relative gene expression levels of two CTAs: SPAG9 and FBXO39 in colonic tumor tissue and adjacent normal-appearing mucosa in 50 newly diagnosed colon cancer patients by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Gene expression was also studied in relation to demographic and pathological criteria. Results: SPAG9 and FBXO39 were overexpressed in 22% and 40% of cases, respectively. Overexpression of both genes was evident in 14% of cases. We report the significant expression of FBXO39 (P < 0.01) in tumor tissue compared to normal tissue. SPAG9 was significantly increased in large sized tumors compared to smaller sized tumors. Otherwise, there was no significant association between gene expression and the evaluated clinicopathological features (P > 0.05). Conclusions: SPAG9 and FBXO39 are possible CC diagnostic biomarkers. Further studies are warranted to validate our findings.
ABSTRACT
@#[Abstract] Objective: To investigate the expression of MAGE-C1 (melanoma-associated antigen-C1) in breast cancer tissues and its correlation with clinicopathological features and prognosis of breast cancer patients. Methods: Breast cancer tissues, normal breast tissues and benign breast lesion tissues (60 samples for each) were collected from the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University during January 2008 and December 2008.The mRNA and protein expressions of MAGE-C1 in three types of breast tissues were detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, and their correlation with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis of breast cancer patients were also analyzed. DNA methylase inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR) and histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) were used to treat breast cancer MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells, and RT-PCR was used to determine the changes in mRNA expression of MAGE-C1 after drug treatment. Results: The positive expression rate of MAGE-C1 mRNA and protein in breast cancer tissues were 43.3% (26/60) and 38.3% (23/60), respectively; and the mRNA and protein expressions of MAGE-C1 were all negative in normal breast tissues and benign breast lesion tissues. MAGE-C1 expression was positively associated with high tumor grade (χ2 =6.233, P<0.05). Recurrence-free survival (RFS) of patients with negative MAGE-C1 expression was significantly longer than those patients with positive MAGE-C1 expression (χ 2 =4.213, P<0.05). MAGE-C1 expression (HR=3.980, P<0.05) and clinical stage (HR=3.637, P<0.05) could be used as independent prognostic factors for breast cancer patients. 5-Aza-CdR and/or TSA treatment had no significant influence on MAGE-C1 gene expression (P>0.05). Conclusion: MAGE-C1 is a tumor-specific antigen and its expression is associated with poor prognosis of breast cancer patients.
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Objective To investigate the expression level and clinical significance of melanoma antigen gene A (MAGEA) in osteosarcoma patients. Methods Compare gene expression profiles in osteosarcoma cell lines and osteoblasts with gene microarrays. Validation of differentially expressed genes was carried out by real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Corresponding protein levels were measures by Western blot analysis in osteosarcoma cell lines and by immunohistochemistry in osteosarcoma tissues. The staining intensity of immuno-histochemistry was correlated with clinical outcome , and its prognostic significance was analyzed. Results Sev-eral genes belonging to MAGEA increased significantly in all osteosarcoma cell lines and tumor tissue , but not in normal osteoblast cell. Patients with MAGEA expression has higher risk of lung metastasis (relative risk 2.79, 95% confidence interval, 1.12-6.93; P = 0.028) and lower five-year survival rates (39.6% ± 8.4% vs. 80% ± 8.9%, P = 0.01) compared with patients without MAGEA expression. Conclusions The expression of MAGEA increased in osteosarcoma , which inversely correlating with outcome of osteosarcoma patients.
ABSTRACT
Cancer-testis antigen (CTA) is a kind of tumor-associated antigen, which expresses in various types of human tumor tissues but only express in a few of normal tissues. The CTA has numerous functions that not yet are fully understood. The CTA possesses immunogenicity that may induce cellular and humoral responses in vivo, which can provide a new approach for cancer immunotherapy.
ABSTRACT
Cancer/testis(CT) antigens,of which more than 40 kinds have now been identified,are encoded by genes that are expressed normally in the human germ line,and are also expressed in various tumor types,including melanoma,and carcinomas of the bladder,lung and liver.These immunogenic proteins are being vigorously pursued as targets for therapeutic cancer vaccines.In this paper,the classification,expression and function of CT antigens are reviewed.