Objective: To explore the possibility of tumor associated antigen encoded by MAGE-1 gene used as a target for immunotherapy in HCC patients.
Method: The expression of MAGE-1 gene in 39 HCCs and 3 HCC cell lines and 5 non-HCC patients liver tissues was examined by RT-PCR method.
Results: The expression rate of MAGE-1 mRNA was significantly higher in HCC patients than in paratumor tissues (P < 0.01, 58.9% vs 10.3%). All the 3 HCC cell lines expressed MAGE-1 gene positively. All 5 non-HCC patients' liver tissues did not express MAGE-1 gene.
Conclusion: The high frequency of expression of MAGE-1 gene in HCCs suggests the possibility of MAGE-1 used as a target for immunotherapy in HCC patients.