Background: Aim was to analyze the expression of different cancer testis antigens (CTA) and to assess its prognostic value in salivary gland carcinomas.
Methods: Patients with salivary gland carcinomas diagnosed 1994 to 2010 were included. Baseline characteristics, pathohistological, clinical, and outcome data were assessed. Tissue microarrays were constructed and immunohistochemistry for different CTA (NY-ESO1, NY-BR1, MAGE A1, MAGE A3, MAGE A4, MAGE C1/CT7, and MAGE C2/CT10) was performed. CTA expression was assessed and statistically correlated with pathological and outcome data.
Results: Expression rates of CTA in salivary gland tumors ranged from 0% to 40%. MAGE A4 expression was associated with a lower tumor grade tumor grading (P = .017), and a favorable recurrence-free (P = .003), disease-specific (P = .046) and overall survival (P = .028).
Conclusions: MAGE A4 is a highly significant prognostic marker in salivary gland carcinoma; its expression is associated with low-grade histology, a low rate of distant metastasis and a favorable survival.
Level of evidence: 4.
Keywords: Cancer testis antigen; MAGE A4; outcome; prognostic marker; salivary gland carcinoma.