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Serological identification of Tektin5 as a cancer/testis antigen and its immunogenicity
Tadashi Hanafusa1, Ali Eldib Ali Mohamed, Shohei Domae
1Department of Radiation Research, Advanced Science Research Center, Okayama University, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8558, Japan.
Background:
Identification of new cancer antigens is necessary for the efficient diagnosis and immunotherapy. A variety of tumor antigens have been identified by several methodologies. Among those antigens, cancer/testis (CT) antigens have became promising targets.
Methods:
The serological identification of antigens by the recombinant expression cloning (SEREX) methodology has been successfully used for the identification of cancer/testis (CT) antigens. We performed the SEREX analysis of colon cancer.
Results:
We isolated a total of 60 positive cDNA clones comprising 38 different genes. They included 2 genes with testis-specific expression profiles in the UniGene database, such as TEKT5 and a CT-like gene, A kinase anchoring protein 3 (AKAP3). Quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that the expression of TEKT5 was restricted to the testis in normal adult tissues. In malignant tissues, TEKT5 was aberrantly expressed in a variety of cancers, including colon cancer. A serological survey of 101 cancer patients with different cancers by ELISA revealed antibodies to TEKT5 in 13 patients, including colon cancer. None of the 16 healthy donor serum samples were reactive in the same test.
Conclusion:
We identified candidate new CT antigen of colon cancer, TEKT5. The findings indicate that TEKT5 is immunogenic in humans, and suggest its potential use as diagnostic as well as an immunotherapeutic reagent for cancer patients.
Insights
Researchers identified TEKT5 as a new cancer/testis (CT) antigen in colon cancer. This antigen is immunogenic in patients, showing potential for cancer diagnosis and immunotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Identifying novel cancer antigens is crucial for advancing cancer diagnosis and immunotherapy.
- Cancer/testis (CT) antigens represent a promising class of tumor targets due to their restricted expression.
- The SEREX methodology has proven effective in discovering novel CT antigens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify new cancer/testis (CT) antigens in colon cancer using the SEREX approach.
- To evaluate the expression profile and immunogenicity of candidate antigens.
Main Methods:
- Serological identification of antigens by recombinant expression cloning (SEREX) was applied to colon cancer samples.
- Quantitative real-time RT-PCR was used to determine TEKT5 expression in normal and malignant tissues.
- ELISA was performed to detect antibodies against TEKT5 in cancer patient sera.
Main Results:
- SEREX analysis yielded 60 positive cDNA clones, including TEKT5 and AKAP3, which exhibit testis-specific or CT-like expression.
- TEKT5 expression was confirmed to be restricted to the testis in normal tissues but aberrantly expressed in various cancers, including colon cancer.
- Antibodies against TEKT5 were detected in 13 out of 101 cancer patients, with no reactivity observed in healthy donors.
Conclusions:
- TEKT5 is identified as a novel candidate cancer/testis antigen for colon cancer.
- TEKT5 demonstrates immunogenicity in cancer patients, suggesting its potential utility.
- TEKT5 holds promise as a biomarker for cancer diagnosis and a target for immunotherapeutic strategies.
