title: Development of cancer vaccine by tumor rejection antigens.
abstract: Identification of the MAGE genes allowed us the molecular approach to identify genes encoding tumor rejection antigens expressed on human cancer cells. MAGE-1 proteins are normal tissue antigens compartmentalized in the particular testicular cells playing an important role in the early phase of the spermatogenesis. The MAGE-1, -2, -3, -4 and -6 genes are preferentially expressed in many different cancers at both the mRNA and protein levels. The MAGE genes, particularly MAGE-1, became positive in relatively advanced stages of cancers and recurrent cancers. Approximately one-third to half of human cancers except for myelo-monocytic leukemia expressed at least one of these MAGE genes. The MAGE gene products shall be appropriate target molecules for development of new cancer vaccine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Itoh
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Toh
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Imai
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nishida
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shichijo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology*; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; C072011:MAGEA1 protein, human; C072013:MAGEA3 protein, human; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger