[Expression of NY-ESO-1/LAGE-1 genes in hepatocellular carcinoma and autologous humoral responses induced thereby].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the potential of utilizing NY-ESO-1/LAGE-1 antigens in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) vaccines.


METHODS
RT-PCR method was used to detect the expression of NY-ESO-1/LAGE-1 mRNA in the cancerous tissues and adjacent tissues resected from 34 patients with HCC. ELISA assay was adopted to analyze the NY-ESO-1 specific antibodies in 37 serum samples of HCC patients, 1 positive control sample, and 8 samples of normal persons.


RESULTS
Nine (26.5%) out of the 34 HCC samples were NY-ESO-1 mRNA positive, while 12 (35.3%) were LAGE-1 positive. Among them, seven HCC samples expressed both genes, and 14 (41.6%) expressed at least one of the genes. Among the 37 serum samples tested six contained high titer of anti-NY-ESO-1 antibodies. Five of the samples were from stage III or later stage HCC patients; one was from a stage II patient.


CONCLUSIONS
NY-ESO-1/LAGE-1 mRNA is expressed in a high frequency in HCC tissue samples, and induces autologous humoral responses in HCC patients. Both of the antigens can be considered as candidates for HCC vaccines.
Xing
Bao-cai
BC
Department of Biliary Surgery, Cancer Biological Therapy and Diagnosis Center, Beijing Cancer Hospital, Beijing 100036, China.
Yuan
Yan-hua
YH
Hu
Zhi-guo
ZG
Liu
Yue-xiang
YX
Han
Yan
Y
Liu
Nian
N
Chen
Wei-feng
WF
Wang
Yu
Y
D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000097:blood*; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D019496:Cancer Vaccines / Q000276:immunology*; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D013737:Testis
D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000954:Antigens, Surface; C104948:CTAG1B protein, human; C510162:CTAG2 protein, human; D019496:Cancer Vaccines; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger