Expression of MAGE‐1, MAGE‐3 and MART‐1 genes in neuroblastoma

The human MAGE‐1, MAGE‐3 and MART‐1 genes code for antigens that are specifically recognized by cytolytic T lymphocytes in a MHC‐restricted manner. The MAGE‐1 and MAGE‐3 genes are expressed in tumors of different histotypes but not in normal adult tissues (with the exception of testis), while the MART‐1 gene appears to be selectively expressed in melanoma. MAGE‐1, MAGE‐3 and MART‐1 antigens may therefore constitute useful targets for specific anti‐tumor immunization of cancer patients. Here we have investigated the expression of MAGE‐1, MAGE‐3 and MART‐1 in 11 neuroblastoma (NB) cell lines and 73 NB tumor masses. MAGE‐1 and MAGE‐3 transcripts were detected simultaneously in 36% of the cell lines and in 16% of tumor samples. The MAGE‐1 gene was never expressed alone except in one tumor. In contrast, MAGE‐3 mRNA was found in approximately 40% of the NB tumor samples in the absence of MAGE‐1 mRNA. No expression of the MART‐1 gene was observed in any cell line or tumor sample. No correlation was found between MAGE gene expression and clinical stage, event‐free survival and presence or absence of N‐myc amplification. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.