Elevated expression levels of testis-specific genes TEX101 and SPATA19 in basal cell carcinoma and their correlation with clinical and pathological features

Summary Background Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is characterized by a low rate of metastasis, slow growth and strong stroma dependency, with significant morbidity and public health burden. Cancer‐testis (CT) genes are specifically expressed in normal testis, fetal ovary and different types of cancers. Testis immune privileged status makes CT genes promising candidates as cancer markers, vaccines and immunotherapy. Objectives To find new CT genes as cancer markers and candidate genes for immunotherapy and to correlate pathological and clinical features with their expression in patients with BCC. Methods By means of digital differential display, seven testis‐specific genes were selected. Their expression patterns were analysed in 78 BCC and 15 normal skin samples using semiquantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. Pathological and clinical characteristics were determined using appropriate methods. Results SPATA19, TEX101, ODF1, ODF2 and ODF3 were expressed in 56·6%, 38·2%, 2·6%, 17·4% and 2·6% of BCCs but not in normal skin samples. ODF4 and PASD1 were not expressed in any BCC samples. TEX101 and SPATA19 expression in high‐risk BCCs was higher than in low‐risk tumours (P