SSX expression in gynecological cancers and antibody response in patients.

Kosei Hasegawa, Fumihito Koizumi, Yuji Noguchi, Atsushi Hongo, Yasushi Mizutani, Junichi Kodama, Yuji Hiramatsu, Eiichi Nakayama

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The SSX genes are members of the cancer-testis (CT) antigen family. SSX2, the prototype SSX gene, was found by serological analysis of antigens by recombinant expression cloning (SEREX). Since little is known about SSX expression in gynecological malignancies, we investigated SSX mRNA expression in 115 gynecological cancer specimens and 25 normal control samples by RT-PCR. We also tested the humoral immune response to SSX2 and SSX4 using recombinant proteins. We found relatively high SSX4 mRNA expression in endometrial cancer (24%), ovarian cancer (13%), and cervical cancer (20%). In contrast, SSX1 and SSX2 mRNA expression was detected in not more than 4% of the gynecological cancer specimens analysed. No SSX mRNA expression was found in 25 normal specimens. Two gynecological cancer patients had antibodies against SSX4, whereas no antibody reactivity to SSX4 was found in the sera of 40 normal individuals. This suggests that SSX4 is a potential target for cancer vaccines in gynecological cancer patients.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)16
Number of pages1
JournalCancer immunity : a journal of the Academy of Cancer Immunology
Volume4
Publication statusPublished - Dec 17 2004
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology
  • Cancer Research

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