title: Immunohistochemical detection of MAGE tumor-associated antigens in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: Genes of the MAGE family encode tumor-specific antigens recognized by cytotoxic T-lymphocytes in a variety of neoplasms. We investigated the protein expression of these antigens as related to the gene expression, in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by using monoclonal antibodies recognizing MAGE gene products. Esophageal squamous cell carcinomas were found to express both MAGE-1 (4 out of 15 samples) and MAGE-3 (7 out of 15 samples) genes, by RT-PCR. Immunoblotting revealed MAGE-1 and MAGE-3 gene products in 2 and 6 out of 15 samples, respectively. Immunohistochemistry performed on 12 samples showed MAGE-1 protein expression, limited to single tumor cells, in 2 cases. MAGE-3 gene product was detectable in 7 cases: in 5 of them over 50% of neoplastic cells were positive. Considering the high percentages of tumor cells expressing MAGE-3 antigen, the use of epitope-based vaccines could be envisaged in patients displaying appropriate HLA-class I phenotype.
authors: UNIV BASEL,DEPT SURG,BASEL,SWITZERLAND. UNIV BASEL,DEPT RES,BASEL,SWITZERLAND. STADT KLINIKEN DORTMUND,DEPT SURG,D-44137 DORTMUND,GERMANY. UNIV BASEL,INST PATHOL,CH-4003 BASEL,SWITZERLAND.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Schaefer
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Noppen
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Nurnberger
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Gudat
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Kocher
authors: U
authors: U
authors: Luscher
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Zuber
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Spagnoli
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Heberer