Expression of MAGE-A4 and MAGE-C1 tumor-associated antigen in benign and malignant thyroid diseases.
BACKGROUND
A subset of thyroid tumors characterized by a follicular growth pattern can represent a serious diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry and molecular pathology for genetic profiling have been used in an attempt to resolve some of these issues.


METHODS
Tumor tissue samples of thyroid were obtained from 70 patients who underwent surgical therapy. They were divided into 4 groups: 20 adenomatous goiters, 10 follicular adenomas, 24 papillary carcinomas, and 16 follicular carcinomas. Immunohistochemical analysis was carried out using antibodies for MAGE-A4 (melanoma antigen-encoding gene A4) and MAGE-C1 (melanoma antigen-encoding gene C1).


RESULTS
Standard histologic analysis and immunohistochemistry analysis of MAGE-A4 and MAGE-C1 expression were performed in all patients. The antigens examined were not expressed in any of the tissues.


CONCLUSIONS
The malignant degeneration of normal tissues is a multifactorial process, varying considerably both among tumor types and among individual patients. The present study showed that there was no immunolabeling of the MAGE-A4 and MAGE-C1 antigens.
Program of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. danielhardy@uol.com.br
Daniel Hardy
DH
Melo
Rui Celso Martins
RC
Mamede
Luciano
L
Neder
Fabiano Pinto
FP
Saggioro
David Livingstone Alves
DL
Figueiredo
Wilson Araújo
WA
da Silva
Achim A
AA
Jungbluth
Marco Antônio
MA
Zago
D018263:Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery; D000236:Adenoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006042:Goiter / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000601:surgery
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; C095204:MAGEA4 protein, human; C110905:MAGEC1 protein, human; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins