title: Coexpression of MAGE-A peptides and HLA class I molecules in hepatocellular carcinoma.
abstract: Melanoma antigen (MAGE)-A derived peptides are tumour-specific and induce a strong in vitro T-cell response, if presented with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules, which are involved in T-cell-mediated immune surveillance. MAGE-A-derived peptides are recognised by autologous cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The MAGE-A expression profile of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) was analysed by PCR assay covering MAGE-A transcripts in 13 patients. MAGE-A peptide expression was determined using a reverse transcription-PCR method. Cryostat sections were stained with monoclonal antibodies directed against HLA class I molecules. Twelve (92.3%) out of thirteen tumours expressed one MAGE-A gene. In at least 90% of the tumours, one MAGE-A peptide was expressed. Determination of the HLA status of the tumours showed a significant loss in approximately 40% of the tumours. The tumour-specific expression of MAGE genes and antigens encoded by a MAGE-family gene may represent useful targets for tumour-specific immunotherapy in HCC patients, in addition to established treatment options.
authors.affiliation: Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Centre of Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Roch
authors.forename: Asad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kutup
authors.forename: Yogesh
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Vashist
authors.forename: Emre
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Yekebas
authors.forename: Viktor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kalinin
authors.forename: Jakob R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Izbicki
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000737:chemistry; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins