BACKGROUNDTo investigate the expressions of MAGE-1,-2,-3 and -4 in lung cancer at mRNA level.

METHODSUsing a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay (RT-PCR), the expressions of MAGE-1,-2,-3 and -4 in 35 lung cancer samples and non-tumorous lung tissues were examined.

RESULTSOf the 35 tumor samples, the MAGE-1,-2,-3 and -4 were expressed at mRNA level in 22.9% (8/35), 62.9% (22/35), 37.1% (13/35) and 77.1% (27/35) respectively. At least one of these genes was expressed in 85.7% (30/35) of the samples. Two or more of these genes were expressed in 71.4% (25/35) of the samples. None of the non-tumorous lung tissue was positive for these genes. No significant difference of the frequency of MAGE gene expression was found between adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, between different tumor stages, and between groups with or without lymph node metastasis (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMAGE-1,-2,-3 and -4 are expressed at a high percentage in lung cancer. All of these genes are negative in the adjacent non tumorous lung tissue. These results indicate the possibility of a future specific immunotherapy for lung cancer based on these MAGE antigens.