Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2026
Assessment of Ovarian Cancer Spheroid Attachment and Invasion of Mesothelial Cells in Real Time
Published on: May 20, 2014
SSX expression in gynecological cancers and antibody response in patients
Kosei Hasegawa1, Fumihito Koizumi, Yuji Noguchi
1Department of Immunology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine and Dentistry, Japan.
Abstract:
The SSX genes are members of the cancer-testis (CT) antigen family. SSX2, the prototype SSX gene, was found by serological analysis of antigens by recombinant expression cloning (SEREX). Since little is known about SSX expression in gynecological malignancies, we investigated SSX mRNA expression in 115 gynecological cancer specimens and 25 normal control samples by RT-PCR. We also tested the humoral immune response to SSX2 and SSX4 using recombinant proteins. We found relatively high SSX4 mRNA expression in endometrial cancer (24%), ovarian cancer (13%), and cervical cancer (20%). In contrast, SSX1 and SSX2 mRNA expression was detected in not more than 4% of the gynecological cancer specimens analysed. No SSX mRNA expression was found in 25 normal specimens. Two gynecological cancer patients had antibodies against SSX4, whereas no antibody reactivity to SSX4 was found in the sera of 40 normal individuals. This suggests that SSX4 is a potential target for cancer vaccines in gynecological cancer patients.
Insights
SSX4 mRNA expression is prevalent in gynecological cancers like endometrial, ovarian, and cervical types. This cancer-testis antigen shows potential as a target for novel gynecological cancer vaccines.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Cancer-testis (CT) antigens are proteins typically expressed in germ cells and aberrantly in various cancers.
- The Synovial Sarcoma X (SSX) gene family comprises CT antigens, with limited data on their expression in gynecological malignancies.
- Understanding SSX gene expression is crucial for identifying potential targets for cancer immunotherapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mRNA expression profile of SSX genes (SSX1, SSX2, SSX4) in a cohort of gynecological cancer specimens.
- To assess the humoral immune response against SSX2 and SSX4 antigens in patients with gynecological cancers.
- To determine the potential of SSX4 as a therapeutic target for gynecological cancer vaccines.
Main Methods:
- Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to quantify SSX mRNA levels in 115 gynecological cancer tissues and 25 normal controls.
- Serological analysis using recombinant SSX2 and SSX4 proteins was performed to detect patient antibodies.
- Statistical analysis was conducted to correlate SSX expression with clinical data and immune responses.
Main Results:
- SSX4 mRNA was significantly expressed in 24% of endometrial, 13% of ovarian, and 20% of cervical cancer samples.
- SSX1 and SSX2 mRNA expression was detected in less than 4% of all analyzed gynecological cancer specimens.
- No SSX mRNA expression was observed in the 25 normal gynecological tissues.
- Antibodies against SSX4 were identified in two gynecological cancer patients, but not in 40 healthy individuals.
Conclusions:
- SSX4 demonstrates a notable expression pattern in several gynecological cancers, distinguishing it from SSX1 and SSX2.
- The presence of anti-SSX4 antibodies in cancer patients suggests an immune response against this antigen.
- SSX4 represents a promising candidate antigen for the development of targeted cancer vaccines in gynecological malignancies.
