Cancer/testis antigens, gametogenesis and cancer.
Cancer/testis (CT) antigens, of which more than 40 have now been identified, are encoded by genes that are normally expressed only in the human germ line, but are also expressed in various tumour types, including melanoma, and carcinomas of the bladder, lung and liver. These immunogenic proteins are being vigorously pursued as targets for therapeutic cancer vaccines. CT antigens are also being evaluated for their role in oncogenesis--recapitulation of portions of the germline gene-expression programme might contribute characteristic features to the neoplastic phenotype, including immortality, invasiveness, immune evasion, hypomethylation and metastatic capacity.
Simpson
Andrew J G
AJ
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, New York Branch at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10021, USA. asimpson@licr.org
Caballero
Otavia L
OL
Jungbluth
Achim
A
Chen
Yao-Tseng
YT
Old
Lloyd J
LJ
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005718:Gametogenesis / Q000276:immunology; D015870:Gene Expression; D018095:Germ-Line Mutation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D013737:Testis
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm