title: Expression of MAGE genes in esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma.
abstract: The genes MAGE-1, -2, -3 and -4 are expressed in tumors of different histological types, but not in normal tissues, with the exception of testis and placenta. Short peptides derived from MAGE-1 and MAGE-3 gene products are recognized by cytolytic T lymphocytes when presented by HLA-class-I molecules, and represent potential targets for specific immunotherapy. We have determined whether esophageal carcinoma patients should be eligible for MAGE-peptide-based vaccine therapies. The expression of genes MAGE-1, -2, -3 and -4 in tumor samples was assessed by reverse-transcription and polymerase-chain-reaction amplification. Out of the 49 esophageal squa-mous-cell carcinomas studied, 53% expressed MAGE-1, 49% MAGE-2, 47% MAGE-3 and 71% MAGE-4. Eighty-four percent of the tumors expressed one or more of the four MAGE genes. Owing to the high incidence of MAGE gene expression in esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma, a large proportion of patients could be suitable candidates for immune therapies involving tumor-specific antigens encoded by MAGE genes.
authors.affiliation: Département die Biologie Clinique, Centre Eugène Marquis, Rennes, France.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Quillien
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Raoul
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Heresbach
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Collet
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Toujas
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brasseur
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; C072011:MAGEA1 protein, human; C072013:MAGEA3 protein, human; C095204:MAGEA4 protein, human; C072012:MAGEB2 protein, human; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins