title: Genes encoding tumor-specific antigens are expressed in human myeloma cells.
abstract: Genes of the MAGE, BAGE, GAGE, and LAGE-1/NY-ESO-1 families encode antigenic peptides that are presented by HLA class I molecules and that are recognized on human tumors by autologous cytolytic T lymphocytes. These genes are expressed in many solid tumor types but not in normal tissues, except male germline cells. Because the latter cells are devoid of HLA molecules, the derived antigens are strictly tumor-specific and should constitute safe immunogens for cancer immunotherapy. We detected a significant expression of these genes in a high proportion of bone marrow samples from patients with advanced multiple myeloma. This observation provides a basis for clinical trials aimed at inducing a cellular immune response directed at malignant plasma cells in advanced myeloma patients.
authors.affiliation: Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: van Baren
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brasseur
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Godelaine
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hames
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferrant
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lehmann
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: André
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ravoet
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Doyen
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Spagnoli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bakkus
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thielemans
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Boon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000276:immunology*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I