Expression of MAGE genes in transitional-cell carcinomas of the urinary bladder.
Human genes MAGE-1 and MAGE-3 code for distinct antigens, which are recognized on melanoma cells by autologous cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL). These antigens may constitute useful targets for anti-cancer immunotherapy, since no expression of MAGE genes has been observed in normal tissues other than testis. Out of 57 samples of primary transitional-cell carcinomas of the bladder, 12 (21%) expressed MAGE-1 and 20 (35%) expressed MAGE-3. All but one of the tumors expressing MAGE-1 also expressed MAGE-3. Genes MAGE-2 and MAGE-4, which are closely related to MAGE-1 and MAGE-3, were expressed by 30% and 33% of the tumors respectively. MAGE expression was more frequent in advanced tumor stages: 61% of the invasive tumors (stage > or = T2) were positive for expression of at least one of the four genes, whereas only 28% of the superficial tumors (stages Ta and T1) expressed these genes.
Patard
J J
JJ
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Brussels, Belgium.
Brasseur
F
F
Gil-Diez
S
S
Radvanyi
F
F
Marchand
M
M
François
P
P
Abi-Aad
A
A
Van Cangh
P
P
Abbou
C C
CC
Chopin
D
D
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D001483:Base Sequence; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D017931:DNA Primers; C072011:MAGEA1 protein, human; C072013:MAGEA3 protein, human; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm