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Expression of MAGE genes in primary and metastatic cutaneous melanoma
Author(s) -
Brasseur Francis,
Rimoldi Donata,
Liénard Danielle,
Lethé Bernard,
Carrel Stefan,
Arienti Flavio,
Suter Ludwig,
Vanwijck Romain,
Bourlond André,
Humblet Yves,
Vacca Angelo,
Conese Marina,
Lahaye Thierry,
Degiovanni Gérard,
Deraemaecker Rika,
Beauduin Marc,
Sastre Xavier,
Salamon Emile,
Dréno Brigitte,
Jäger Elke,
Knuth Alex,
Chevreau Christine,
Suciu Stefan,
Lachapelle JeanMarie,
Pouillart Pierre,
Parmiani Giorgio,
Lejeune Ferdy,
Cerottini JeanCharles,
Boon Thierry,
Marchand Marie
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/ijc.2910630313
Subject(s) - melanoma , gene , antigen , cancer research , gene expression , medicine , cancer , pathology , biology , immunology , genetics
Human genes MAGE‐ 1 and MAGE‐3 code for antigens that are recognized on melanoma cells by autologous cytolytic T lymphocytes. These antigens may constitute useful targets for specific anti‐tumor immunization of cancer patients, since genes MAGE‐ 1 and MAGE‐3 are expressed in a number of tumors of different histological types, but are not expressed in normal adult tissues other than testis. This also applies to genes MAGE‐2 and MAGE‐4 , which are closely related to MAGE‐ 1 and MAGE‐2 . We have analyzed the expression of these 4 MAGE genes in cutaneous melanoma. Sixteen of 100 primary tumors vs. 69 (48%) of 145 metastases from individual patients expressed MAGE‐ 1. Similar differences in the frequency of gene expression between primary and metastatic tumor samples were observed for MAGE‐2, MAGE‐2 , and MAGE‐ 4. MAGE expression in primary tumors was correlated with tumor thickness: there was a significantly increased frequency in the expression of MAGE‐ 1, ‐2 and ‐3 in tumors of greater thickness. Benign and dysplastic nevi, as well as in situ melanomas, did not express any of the 4 MAGE genes.