title: XAGE-1b cancer/testis antigen is a potential target for immunotherapy in prostate cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gene-modified cell vaccines are now considered to be the best way to achieve immunotherapy for a variety of cancers including prostate cancer (PCa). XAGE-1b is a member of the cancer/testis antigen family which has demonstrated strong immunogenicity. We investigated whether XAGE-1b is an ideal target for PCa immunotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pDisplay-XAGE-1b was constructed. Then the recombinant vector was transfected into Myc-CaP cells and its immunogenicity in vitro was studied. After transfection, the Myc-CaP-XAGE-1b cells were injected into FVB mice subcutaneously. Tumor growth was periodically observed and the anti-tumor effect and mechanism in vivo were further studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The recombinant vector was correctly constructed by DNA sequencing and restriction endonuclease digestion. Myc-CaP cells were successfully transfected with XAGE-1b gene by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot. The transfected cells exhibited increased IFN-γ secretion, decreased IL-6 secretion and enhanced killing activity. Tumor grew slower in XAGE-1b-modified FVB mice than in wild-type FVB mice. High dendritic cell expression and low myeloid-derived suppressor cell expression were observed in tumor tissues expressed with XAGE-1b.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  XAGE-1b gene transfection could significantly enhance the immunogenicity of Myc-CaP cells. Therefore, XAGE-1b may be an attractive target for antigen-specific immunotherapy in PCa.
authors.affiliation: Department of Andrology, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Chong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Guomin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000378:metabolism; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D018076:DNA, Complementary; C413656:XAGE1A protein, human