Immunohystochemical expression of cancer/testis antigens (MAGE-A3/4, NY-ESO-1) in non-small cell lung cancer: the relationship with clinical-pathological features.
The aim of this study was to explore the expression of cancer/testis tumor associated antigens (C/T TAAs) MAGE-A 3/4 and NY-ESO-1 in lung squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, and to evaluate their association with the standard clinical-pathological features of surgically treated lung cancer patients. The study included 80 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (40 adenocarcinomas, 40 squamous cell carcinomas) who had undergone surgery in the period between 2002 and 2005. The MAGE-A3/4 and NY-ESO-1 antigen expression was analyzed immunohistochemically (IHC). The results showed MAGE-A3/4 and NY-ESO-1 positive staining in 65.1% and 23.3% of squamous cell carcinomas and 18.9% and 10.8% of adenocarcinomas, respectively. A statistically higher MAGE-A3/4 expression was observed in planocellular bronchial carcinoma (p < 0.001), while no difference was found in the expression of NY-ESO-1 in adenocarcinoma and planocellular carcinoma (p = 0.144). A significant association was found between the MAGE-A3/4 expression and presence of tumor necrosis in squamous cell cancer specimens (p = 0.001), but not in adenocarcinoma (p = 0.033). A statistically significant association was noted between the NY-ESO-1 expression and positive hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes in adenocarcinoma (p = 0.025) whereas it was not the case in squamous cell carcinoma. Non-small cell lung cancer frequently expresses cancer/testis tumor associated antigens. Our results demonstrate that the MAGE-A3/4 and NY-ESO-1 expression was significant associated with prognostic factors of poor outcome of disease (presence of tumor necrosis and lymph node metastasis). As C/T antigens are important for inducing a specific immune reaction in lung cancer patients, there is an intention to form a subgroup of patients in the future, whose treatment would be enhanced by specific immunotherapy based on the observed scientific results.
Grah
Josip
J
Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital for Tumors, Zagreb, Croatia. bbmjjg@yahoo.com
Samija
Mirko
M
Juretić
Antonio
A
Sarcević
Bozena
B
Sobat
Hrvoje
H
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D011379:Prognosis
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C104948:CTAG1B protein, human; C072013:MAGEA3 protein, human; C095204:MAGEA4 protein, human; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins