Prognostic significance of MAGE-A10 and NY-ESO-1 cancer-testis antigen in breast cancer.

Abstract

e21126 Background: Cancer testis antigens (CTAs) are expressed in a variety of malignant tumors. In normal adult tissues CTA expression is restricted predominantly to germs cells of the adult testis and placenta. Based on their tumor-restricted expression pattern, CTAs are regarded as valuable targets for cancer immunotherapy. The prognostic significance of CTAs in breast cancer has not been analyzed previously. Methods: To evaluate the potential prognostic significance of two member of this family, MAGE-A10 and NY-ESO-1 antigens, we examined their expression in breast cancer patients who underwent curative surgery at our hospital between 2002 and 2003. Paraffin embedded tumor sections were collected retrospectively from 165 breast cancer patients and immunohistochemical staining for MAGE-A10 and NY-ESO-1 was performed. Impact of MAGE-A10 and NY-ESO-1 expression on disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method using 8-year follow up data. Results: MAGE-A10 expression (score ≥2+) was detected in 105/164 (64%) and NY-ESO-1 expression (score ≥2+) was observed in 14/164 (8.5%) patients. 8-year DFS for MAGE-A10 positive patients was 69% and 73% for MAGE-A10 negative (p=0.452). 8-year OS for MAGE-A10 positive patients was 80% and 90% for MAGE-A10 negative (p=0.134). For NY-ESO-1 positive patients 8-year DFS was 67% and 70% for NY-ESO-1 negative patients (p=0.837). 8-year OS for NY-ESO-1 positive patients was 83% and 84% for NY-ESO-1 negative patients. (p=0.991) Conclusions: To our knowledge this is the first study analyzing prognostic significance CTAs in breast cancer. In this retrospective study we did not show statistically significant correlation between MAGE-A10 and NY-ESO-1 expression and clinical outcome. Additional studies are warranted to determine weather this antigens might have prognostic value in breast cancer patients.