Expression of tumor-specific antigen MAGE, GAGE and BAGE in ovarian cancer tissues and cell lines

Abstract

BackgroundTo observe mRNA expression of tumor-specific antigen MAGE, BAGE and GAGE in epithelial ovarian cancer tissues and cell lines, to explore the relationship between gene expression and diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of ovarian cancer, and to evaluate the feasibility of their gene products as markers, and an immunotherapy target for ovarian cancer.MethodsmRNA expression of MAGE-1, MAGE-3, GAGE-1/2 and BAGE were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 14 cases of normal ovarian tissue, 20 cases of ovarian benign tumor specimens, 41 cases of ovarian cancer specimens, and ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV3, A2780, and COC1.ResultsMAGE, GAGE and BAGE genes were not expressed in normal ovarian tissue. In benign tumors, only the MAGE gene was expressed; the expression rate of this gene in benign tumors was 15% (3/20). In ovarian cancer tissues, MAGE-1 and MAGE-3 was highly expressed, with expression rates of 53.7% (22/41) and 36.6% (15/41), while GAGE-1/2 and BAGE had relatively low expression, with rates of 26.8% (11/41) and 14.6% (6/41). In metastatic lesions of ovarian cancer, only MAGE-1 and BAGE were expressed, with expression rates of 28.6% (2/7) and 14.3% (1/7). The positive expression rates of MAGE-1 and MAGE-3 in serous cystadenocarcinoma were significantly higher than that in other types of ovarian cancer (P < 0.05). Gene expression rate was not correlated with menopause or lymph node metastasis. Positive expression of MAGE-1 and MAGE-3 was positively correlated with tumor differentiation and the clinical stage of the ovarian cancer. In addition, the positive expression rate of BAGE was significantly higher in ovarian cancer patients with ascites (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression profiles of MAGE, GAGE and BAGE in ovarian carcinoma cell lines SKOV3, A2780 and COC1 varied, but there was at least one gene expressed in each cell line.ConclusionTumor-specific antigen MAGE, BAGE and GAGE may play a role in the occurrence and development of ovarian cancer. These genes can be used as one of the important indicators for early diagnosis, efficacy evaluation and prognostic determination of ovarian cancer.

Small Supernumerary Marker Chromosomes in Human Infertility

“…Array-CGH data showed 6 duplicated genes including 5 genes belonging to the BAGE (B melanoma antigen) family which are expressed in some ovarian tumors [Zhang et al, 2010]. In the current study, mRNA expression showed that BAGE was not related to menopause [Zhang et al, 2010].…”

Correlations between the MEG-A3 gene and incidence of breast cancer

“…It is believed that MEGA protein can be used for the detection and treatment of certain tumors (12,13). MAGE gene has different degrees of expression in melanoma, lung, breast, liver, and ovarian cancer, as well as other diseases (14–18). Additionally, in the same type of tumor disease, there were many different subtypes of MAGE genes involved.…”

Cancer-Testis Antigens: A Novel Group of Tumor Biomarkers in Ovarian Cancers

“…MAGE-A3 have also been shown to be expressed in a significant number of ovarian cancer samples in different studies (38). In addition, expression of MAGE-1 and MAGE-3 has been higher in serous cystadenocarcinoma than in other types of ovarian cancer and has been positively associated with tumor differentiation and the clinical stage of the ovarian cancer (32). Furthermore, MAGE3/6 has been among genes which have been detected in exosomes isolated from ovarian cancer patients' plasma.…”

“…At present, the most frequent use of MAGE, BAGE and GAGE antigens in the ovarian cancer vaccine is the peptide vaccine and DC vaccine (32). However, the heterogeneity of antigen expression between various histologic tumor types and even between cells of a tumor mass impedes selection of certain antigen for immunotherapy (32). One possible solution for this problem is application of polyvalent vaccines.…”

“…This pattern of expression implies the presence of a unique mechanism for aberrant expression and facilitates design of polyvalent vaccines. At present, the most frequent use of MAGE, BAGE and GAGE antigens in the ovarian cancer vaccine is the peptide vaccine and DC vaccine (32). However, the heterogeneity of antigen expression between various histologic tumor types and even between cells of a tumor mass impedes selection of certain antigen for immunotherapy (32).…”