NY-ESO-1 protein expression and humoral immune responses in prostate cancer.
BACKGROUND
Due to restricted expression in normal tissues cancer/testis (C/T) antigens represent candidate molecules for immunotherapy of cancer. NY-ESO-1 is a well-studied C/T antigen with unknown expression and immunogenicity in prostate cancer (PC) patients.


METHODS
NY-ESO-1 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry and humoral immune responses against NY-ESO-1 assessed by enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting. Protein expression and serological responses were correlated with clinical findings and survival.


RESULTS
NY-ESO-1 expression was found in biopsies from 2 of 66 localized PC and 7/48 hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) patients, respectively. Anti-NY-ESO-1 antibodies were detected in sera from 1 of 112 localized PC and 18 of 95 HRPC patients. Two of four HRPC patients with NY-ESO-1 positive biopsies had mounted a serological response. Positive anti-NY-ESO-1 titers were correlated with poor survival in HRPC patients.


CONCLUSIONS
NY-ESO-1 is expressed in a subset of HRPC patients and, together with other C/T antigens, may serve as a target antigen for development of immunotherapy of PC. Spontaneous serological responses against NY-ESO-1 may be associated with poor survival.
Fosså
Alexander
A
Department of Immunology, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Montebello, Oslo, Norway. alexanfo@labmed.uio.no
Berner
Aasmund
A
Fosså
Sophie D
SD
Hernes
Eivor
E
Gaudernack
Gustav
G
Smeland
Erlend B
EB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007167:Immunotherapy; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013737:Testis
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; C104948:CTAG1B protein, human; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D008565:Membrane Proteins