Overexpression of cancer-testis antigen melanoma-associated antigen A1 in lung cancer: A novel biomarker for prognosis, and a possible target for immunotherapy

AimWe investigated melanoma-associated antigen A1 (MAGE-A1) expression in lung cancer tissues and its correlation with prognostic factors. Materials and MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, samples from 101 patients with lung cancer were obtained between 2007 and 2014 and stained for MAGE-A1 by immunohistochemistry. Correlation with prognostic factors was assessed by t test, and (2), and Pearson's tests. ResultsEighty non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 21 small-cell lung cancer specimens were stained for MAGE-A1. MAGE-A1 was detected more commonly in adenocarcinomas and was expressed more frequently in male and patients >60 years. ConclusionsMAGE-A1 was found in several lung cancer patients. MAGE-A1 was expressed more commonly in NSCLC, elderly, and men. Further investigations are needed to assess MAGE-A1 as potential cancer biomarkers.