Expression of Cancer-Testis Antigen Genes in Retinoblastoma

Objective To detect the mRNA expression of three CTAs (MAGE-A1、A3、A4) in retinoblastoma (RB) tissues and investigate the possibility of applying these antigens as the target antigens for RB specific immunotherapy. Methods With reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the mRNA expression of MAGE-A1、A3、A4 in 15 cases of RB tissues, 12 cases of nontumorous retina tissues and 22 cases of normal ocular region tissues were detected. The results of expression and related clinical parameters were analyzed with statistic analysis software. Results Among 15 cases of RB tissues, MAGE-A1、A3、A4 mRNA were detected in 33.33％（5/15 ）, 46.67%（7/15）, 33.33%（5/15）, respectively. At least one of these three MAGEs were detected in 11 cases of RB tissues（73.33%）, and at least two of these three MAGEs were detected in 5 cases of RB tissues（33.33%）. None of these three MAGEs can be detected in the 12 cases of nontumorous retina tissues and 22 cases of normal ocular region tissues. Conclusion With expressive frequency in RB, no relationship was found between the expression of these three MAGE genes and related clinical parameters (P＞0.05). MAGE-A1、A3、A4 might be potential target antigens for specific immunotherapy of RB.