Abstract LB-153: The helicase antigen (HAGE) promotes tumor cell proliferation via up-regulation of Ras protein signalling.

Abstract

Abstract The discovery of cancer/testis (CT) antigens heralded a resurgence in interest in cancer immunotherapy. However, to date, therapy designed to target CT antigens in a variety of different tumours has had limited success and the function of these antigens remains for many still not completely understood. We believe that a better understanding of what possible processes CT antigens are involved in would help in the creation of additional treatment methods. The helicase antigen (HAGE) in a non-X-linked CT antigen shown to be expressed by a variety of tumours including melanoma, head and neck carcinoma and haematological cancers. It is classified as belonging to the DEAD-box family of RNA helicases, which are predicted to have roles in RNA metabolism including transcription, splicing, ribosome biogenesis and translation. These, along with tumour-restricted expression imply a definitive role in malignant cells. Here, we present data that strongly suggests a role for HAGE in promoting tumour cell line proliferation via increased Akt and Erk activation by increasing Ras protein expression. This work was funded by the John and Lucille van Geest Foundation. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-153. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-LB-153