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Quantification of SSX mRNA expression in human bone and soft tissue tumors using nucleic acid sequence-based
Norifumi Naka1, Susumu Joyama, Yoshitane Tsukamoto
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Osaka Medical Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases, 1-3-2 Nakamichi, Higashinari-ku, Osaka 537-8511, Japan.
The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics : JMD
|April 29, 2005
Summary
Cancer/testis antigen SSX family proteins are promising targets for cancer vaccines. A new assay quantifies SSX mRNA in tumors, revealing higher expression in malignant and advanced-stage cancers, aiding patient selection for immunotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Cancer/testis antigens (CTAs) like SSX family proteins are expressed in tumors and testis.
- SSX proteins are potential targets for cancer immunotherapies due to their tumor-specific expression.
- Developing sensitive methods to detect SSX expression is crucial for targeted therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a quantitative assay for SSX mRNA expression in bone and soft tissue tumors.
- To investigate the correlation between SSX mRNA levels and tumor malignancy and stage.
- To compare the sensitivity of the developed assay with existing methods like immunohistochemistry.
Main Methods:
- Development of a competitive nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) assay.
- Analysis of SSX mRNA expression in 211 bone and soft tissue tumor samples.
- Comparison of SSX mRNA levels between benign and malignant tumors, and across different tumor stages.
- Comparative analysis with immunohistochemistry (IHC) using a novel SSX antibody.
Main Results:
- SSX mRNA copy numbers varied logarithmically (0.6-6.6) across tumor samples.
- Malignant tumors exhibited significantly higher SSX mRNA expression than benign tumors (P < 0.0001).
- Tumors at stage III showed significantly higher SSX mRNA levels compared to stages I and II (P < 0.005).
- The NASBA assay demonstrated higher sensitivity than IHC.
Conclusions:
- The quantitative SSX NASBA assay is a sensitive tool for measuring SSX mRNA expression in tumors.
- Elevated SSX mRNA levels correlate with increased tumor malignancy and advanced stage.
- This assay can aid in identifying patients eligible for SSX-targeted cancer vaccines.