Identification of tumor antigens in human lung squamous carcinoma by serological proteome analysis

Autoantibodies against tumor antigens are promising means for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. In this study, we applied a proteomic approach to identify proteins that commonly elicit humoral response in lung squamous carcinoma (LSC). Sera from 20 newly diagnosed patients with LSC and 20 matched healthy individuals were analyzed for antibody-based reactivity against LSC proteins separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis. Autoantibodies against triosephosphate isomerase (Tim) and superoxide dismutase [Mn] (MnSOD) were detected in sera from over 20% patients with LSC but none from the normal controls. Furthermore, the occurrence of autoantibodies against Tim and MnSOD was evaluated by ELISA in an additional 40 LSC patients, 30 other types of cancer (OTC) patients, and 50 noncancer controls (NC). Results showed that frequency of autoantibody against Tim (27.5%) in LSC patients was significantly higher than that in OTC patients (6.7%, p = 0.027) and in NC (6%, p = 0.005). Likewise, frequency of autoantibody against MnSOD in LSC (20%) patients was significantly higher than that in NC (4%, p = 0.016), however, there was no significant difference when comparing to that in OTC patients (6.7%, p = 0.115). We also observed significantly increased expression and secretion of Tim and MnSOD in LSC, which possibly account for their autoantibody development. Our results indicate that autoantibody and antigen of Tim and MnSOD may be useful for screening and diagnosis of the lung squamous carcinoma.