Expression of cancer-testis antigens as possible targets for antigen-specific immunotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Cancer-Testis (CT) antigens are by definition expressed in tumor but not in healthy tissue except testis and might represent ideal targets for antigen-specific immunotherapy. Here, we present the first comprehensive analysis of CT antigen expression in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Tumor samples (N=51), and adjacent healthy tissue from patients with HNSCC were analyzed for the expression of 23 genes designated CT antigens using RT-PCR. Patient sera (N=39) were screened for IgG antibody responses against NY-ESO-1, MAGEA3, and SSX2. According to their expression pattern antigens were divided into four groups. ADAM2, LIP1, SLLP1, AKAP3, CTAGE, ZNF165, CAGE, and FTHL17 were expressed in tumor and healthy tissue at comparable frequencies. NY-TLU-57, GAGE1, SAGE1 were expressed more frequently in tumor samples than in healthy tissues. TPTE, LDHC, SPO11 were expressed neither in tumor samples nor in healthy tissue. 9 CT antigens were expressed only in the tumor tissue and may repre...