cqvip:Background:Cancer testis antigens (CTAs) are expressed in a variety of malign ant tumours. No CTA expression is found in normal adult tissues, except in male germ cells and occasionally placenta. To date, more than 20 CTAs or antigen fami lies have been identified. Objectives:Owing to their tumour-associated express ion pattern, CTAs may be useful for making a distinction between benign and mali gnant neoplasms. The present study was done to analyse the value of CTAs for the discrimination of cutaneous melanoma and naevi. Patients and methods:Primary m elanomas (38) and 19 naevi were analysed for their expression of CTAs by immunoh istochemistry using the following monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to the following a ntigens (mAb/antigen):MA454/MAGE-A1, 57B/MAGE-A4, ES121/NY-ESO-1. In a subs et of melanomas (n=26), the CTA panel was extended to three additional CTAs (mAb /antigen):CT7-33/MAGE-C1, M3H67/MAGE-A3 and GAGE/GAGE. Results:All 19 naevi were negative for the mAbs MA454, M3H67, 57B, ES121, CT7-33 and GAGE. In melan oma, the immunoreactivity was as follows:MA454:8/38 (21%), 57B 11/38 (29%), ES121 9/38 (24%). However, 19/38 (50%) were positive for at least one CTA. When 26 melanomas we re tested for the expression of six different CTAs 20/26 (77%) were positive fo r at least one CTA. Conclusions:CTAs may be useful in the determination of susp ected malignancy in cutaneous melanomas. The low incidence of particular CTAs ca n be overcome by increasing the number of CTAs analysed.
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