Expression of MAGE 3 Gene Product in Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Head and Neck.
- Author:
Kang Dae LEE
1
;
Young Ki JO
;
Sun Gon KIM
;
Kil Soo LEE
;
Chang Young CHOI
;
Ju Hong LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Otolaryngology, Kosin University College of Medicine, Pusan, Korea. ent95@chollian.net
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
MAGE 3 gene product;
Immunohistochemical staining;
Squamous cell carcinomas;
Head and neck;
Immunotherapy
- MeSH:
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell*;
Cell Differentiation;
Cytoplasm;
Head*;
Immunotherapy;
Neck*;
Neoplasm Metastasis;
Testis
- From:Korean Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
1998;41(10):1296-1303
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: MAGE 3 gene may constitute a potential target for cancer immunotherapy since it is expressed in a variety of cancers but not in normal tissues except the testis. In this study, expression and intracellular location of MAGE 3 gene products were investigated using squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MAGE 3 protein expression was screened in 40 squamous cell carcinomas, 2 tumor lines, 20 benign diseases, and 20 normal tissues of the head and neck. Immunohistochemical staining with anti-MAGE 3 mAb 57B was conducted from fresh frozen specimens. A correlation between MAGE 3 expression and clinicopathological parameters was also evaluated. RESULTS: MAGE 3 gene product was detected in squamous cell carcinomas (18/40, 45%) and in tumor lines (2/2, 100%), but not in benign diseases and normal tissues. MAGE 3 gene product was identified as a cytoplasmic protein of cancer cells without staining in normal epithelia and stromal tissues coexisting adjacent to cancer cells. No significant correlation between MAGE 3 expression and clinicopathological parameters including tumor cell differentiation, age, gender, primary site, tumor stage, and metastasis was drawn. CONCLUSIONS: MAGE 3 antigen could represent a potential target for immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.
