J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2008 Apr;43(4):190-193. 10.3340/jkns.2008.43.4.190.

Expression of Cancer-Testis Genes in Brain Tumors

• Lee MH
• Son EI
• Kim E
• Kim IS
• Yim MB
• Kim SP

• KMID: 1477595
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2008.43.4.190

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Cancer-testis (CT) genes are considered promising candidates for immunotherapeutic approaches. The aim of this study was to investigate which CT genes should be targeted in immunotherapy for brain tumors.
METHODS
We investigated the expression of 6 CT genes (MAGE-E1, SOX-6, SCP-1, SSX-2, SSX-4, and HOMTES-85) using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction in 26 meningiomas and 32 other various brain tumor specimens, obtained from the patients during tumor surgery from 2000 to 2005.
RESULTS
The most frequently expressed CT genes of meningiomas were MAGE-E1, which were found in 22/26 (85%) meningioma samples, followed by SOX-6 (9/26 or 35%). Glioblastomas were most frequently expressed SOX-6 (6/7 or 86%), MAGE-E1 (5/7 or 71%), followed by SSX-2 (2/7 or 29%) and SCP-1 (1/7 or 14%). However, 4 astrocytomas, 3 anaplastic astrocytomas, and 3 oligodendroglial tumors only expressed MAGE-E1 and SOX-6. Schwannomas also expressed SOX-6 (5/6 or 83%), MAGE-E1 (4/6 or 67%), and SCP-1 (2/6 or 33%).
CONCLUSION
The data presented here suggest that MAGE-E1 and SOX-6 genes are expressed in a high percentage of human central nervous system tumors, which implies the CT genes could be the potential targets of immunotherapy for human central nervous system tumors.

Keyword

Cancer-testis gene; Brain tumor; MAGE-E1; SOX-6; SCP-1; SSX-2

MeSH Terms

Acetaminophen
Astrocytoma
Brain
Brain Neoplasms
Central Nervous System Neoplasms
Glioblastoma
Humans
Immunotherapy
Meningioma
Neurilemmoma
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Saccharin
Acetaminophen
Saccharin