BACKGROUND: The melanoma-associated antigen (MAGE) gene family consists of different expression patterns in various tumor types. They are considered tumor-specific antigens and are ideal targets for cancer immunotherapy. The purpose of this study is to identify the expression profiles of the MAGE family genes in Taiwanese colorectal cancer patients. METHODS: In this study, a well-constructed chip array platform was used to analyze the expression of the MAGE family genes of 100 colorectal cancer tissues. Statistical analysis of the experimental results and patients' clinical manifestations were also conducted. RESULTS: The results showed MAGE-A2 (87%), -A7 (83%), -A8 (75%), -A12 (71%), -B2 (75%), -B3 (79%), -D2 (75%), -F1 (79%), and -H1 (70%) were significantly overexpressed genes in colorectal cancer tissues. MAGE-A2 was the most highly overexpressed gene among the MAGE family. MAGE-B3 gene expression is statistically correlated with tumor size, lymph node, and UICC stage. In addition, the overexpression of MAGE-D2 and -H1 genes are statistically correlated to the tumor size and depth, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first comprehensive report to clarify the differential expression profile of whole MAGE family in CRCs, and it might provide some crucial information about the carcinogenesis and progression in Taiwanese patients with CRC.
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