Relationship between GAGE-1/-2 expression, EBV infection and interferon-gamma expression in undifferentiated carcinoma of nasopharyngeal type.
GAGE-1/-2 proteins are novel tumour markers, functionally related to tumour rejection. The objective of the present study was to identify the existence of a relationship between GAGE-1/-2 expression, Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) infection and viral infection-induced cytokine expression in cultivated tumour cells and archival specimens of undifferentiated carcinoma of nasopharyngeal type (UCNT). PCR and in situ hybridization techniques were employed. In cultivated UCNT cells, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) induced synthesis of GAGE-1/-2 mRNA. In archival tumour specimens (n = 10) however, GAGE-1/-2 gene expression was detected in only 3/8 cases with coincident EBV infection and IFN-gamma expression. In conclusion, EBV infection appears to induce IFN-gamma gene expression in most tumors, but GAGE-1/-2 expression in only some tumours. The role of IFN-gamma and other factors in triggering GAGE-1/-2 gene activation must be elucidated further. The relevance of GAGE-1/-2 gene expression and its detection by PCR for future immunotherapy is discussed.
Schlott
T
T
Department of Cytopathology, Georg-August-University, Goettingen, Germany.
Middel
P
P
Laskawi
R
R
Brinck
U
U
Ruschenburg
I
I
Droese
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; C095365:GAGE1 protein, human; C095366:GAGE2A protein, human; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D007371:Interferon-gamma