Expression of the MAGE 3 gene product in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.
BACKGROUND
The melanoma antigen (MAGE) 3 gene may be a useful tumor specific marker since it is expressed in a variety of cancers.


METHODS
The expression and intracellular location of MAGE 3 gene product were investigated in 40 squamous cell carcinomas, 2 tumor lines, 20 benign diseases, and 20 normal tissues of the head and neck. Immunohistochemical staining with anti-MAGE 3 mAb 57B was conducted from fresh frozen specimens. Correlations between MAGE 3 expression and clinicopathological parameters were also evaluated.


RESULTS
The MAGE 3 gene product was detected in squamous cell carcinomas (18/40, 45%) and in tumor cell lines (2/2, 100%), but not in benign diseases and normal tissues. No significant correlation was drawn between MAGE 3 expression and clinical parameters including clinical stages and metastasis.


CONCLUSIONS
These results show MAGE 3 antigen could represent a potential target for immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.
Lee
K D
KD
Department of Otolaryngology, Kosin University College of Medicine, Pusan, Korea.
Chang
H K
HK
Jo
Y K
YK
Kim
B S
BS
Lee
B H
BH
Lee
Y W
YW
Lee
H K
HK
Huh
M H
MH
Min
Y G
YG
Spagnoli
G C
GC
Yu
T H
TH
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; C072013:MAGEA3 protein, human; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins