Mapping MAGE-A4 expression in solid cancers for targeted therapies

Mapping MAGE-A4 expression in solid cancers for targeted therapies

Melanoma-associated antigen A4 (MAGE-A4) is a promising target for anticancer therapy. However, limited contemporary data are available on the details of MAGE-A4 protein expression in different cancer types. In this study, the protein expression of MAGE-A4 is comprehensively studied in patients with...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Christin Habigt, Sylvie Rottey, Iben Spanggaard, Juanita S. Lopez, Elena Garralda, Emiliano Calvo, Oliver Bechter, Jayesh Desai, Rachel Galot, Leena Gandhi, Florian Heil, Natascha Rieder, Ivan Dimitrov, Iris Martinez Quetglas, Christian Heichinger, Nino Keshelava, Andreas Roller
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Oncology
Subjects:
biomarker
translational analysis
clinical trial
target expression
patient selection
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1484182/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Melanoma-associated antigen A4 (MAGE-A4) is a promising target for anticancer therapy. However, limited contemporary data are available on the details of MAGE-A4 protein expression in different cancer types. In this study, the protein expression of MAGE-A4 is comprehensively studied in patients with unresectable and/or metastatic solid cancers to identify indications of the highest unmet medical need for anti-MAGE-A4 therapy. FFPE tumor sections from 200 patients, predominantly HLA-A*02:01 positive (n = 193), were examined using immunohistochemistry (IHC) to detect MAGE-A4 expression. The patient cohort comprised various cancer types to pinpoint differences in the prevalence and intensity of MAGE-A4 positivity. MAGE-A4 expression was observed in 35% (69 patients) of the overall cohort. Certain cancer types exhibited notably higher frequencies of MAGE-A4 positivity. Specifically, adenoid cystic carcinoma demonstrated the highest prevalence at 82%, followed by liposarcoma at 67%. Ovarian serous/high-grade carcinoma showed a 64% positivity rate, identical to that observed in squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) presented a 60% prevalence, while esophageal cancer had a 54% prevalence of MAGE-A4 expression. These data highlight the variability of MAGE-A4 expression across different cancer types and underscore its relevance as a potential target of novel precision medicines. The significant presence of MAGE-A4 in specific cancers suggests potential for stratified therapeutic approaches and warrants further investigation into its role in oncogenesis and treatment response.
ISSN:2234-943X

Similar Items