Expression of MAGE A 1-6 mRNA in sputa of head and neck cancer patients--a preliminary report.
BACKGROUND
The applicability of the melanoma antigen gene (MAGE) to the molecular diagnosis of cancer, by detecting MAGE mRNA in the sputa of head and neck cancer patients, was investigated.


METHODS
Nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with the MAGE common primers designed to detect MAGE A1-6 genes was conducted with sputa of 17 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients.


RESULTS
Of the 17 sputa specimens from patients with squamous cell carcinoma, MAGE mRNA was detected in 13 cases, while the detection rate was 2 out of 40 in the normal control group, showing significant correlation (p<0.05) between head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and MAGE mRNA expression in sputa.


CONCLUSIONS
MAGE may be a useful tumor marker of head and neck cancer.
Lee
Kang Dae
KD
Department of Otolaryngology, College of Medicine, Kosin University, Busan, Korea. kdlee@ns.kosinmed.or.kr
Lee
Hwan Ho
HH
Joo
Ho Bum
HB
Lee
Hyoung Shin
HS
Yu
Tai Hyun
TH
Chang
Hee Kyung
HK
Jeon
Chang Ho
CH
Park
Jong Wook
JW
D000328:Adult; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013183:Sputum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger