Significant correlation between expression of MAGE-A 3/4 and NY-ESO-1 in the lymph node metastasis was not found (P=0.137). In addition, the expression of MAGE-A 3/4 and NY-ESO-1 in lymph node metastases kinase inhibitor Imatinib Mesylate did not significantly correlate with patient age (P>0.05), patient sex (P>0.05), tumor grade (P>0.05), T classification (P>0.05), N classification (P>0.05) or M classification (P>0.05). Discussion Several studies have analyzed the expression of MAGE-A and NY-ESO-1 in ESCC.10�C14,18�C20 To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess and compare the expression of MAGE-A and NY-ESO-1 in ESCC lymph node metastases. MAGE-A was detected in 50�C84% of ESCC, according to different studies.10�C14 In our study, MAGE-A 3/4 was expressed in 90.9% primary ESCC and all lymph node metastases.

MAGE-A 3/4 was similarly expressed in primary tumor with and without metastases and the intensity of expression was not significantly different between primary tumors and corresponding lymph nodes metastases. Our results are most similar to the results published by Quillien et al., 10 who assessed the expression of MAGE-A 1, 2, 3 and 4 genes in 49 ESCC samples by RT-PCR and PCR amplification. MAGE-A 1 was expressed in 53%, MAGE-A 2 in 49%, MAGE-A 3 in 47% and MAGE-A 4 in 71% tumors, respectively. Eighty four percent of tumors expressed one or more of the investigated MAGE genes.10 In another similar study also conducted by RT-PCR, MAGE-A 1, 2 and 3 genes were analyzed in 42 surgical samples and in 12 cell lines of human esophageal carcinoma.

11 MAGE-A 1, 2, and 3 genes were expressed in 26 (62%), 18 (43%) and 24 (57%) tumor specimens, respectively. Thirty three of 42 (79%) carcinomas expressed at least one MAGE gene. In normal esophageal tissue, MAGE-A expression was not found. In cell lines, expression of MAGE-A 1, 2, and 3 was recognized in 5, 4 and 4 cell lines, respectively.11 Zambon et al.12 analyzed MAGE, BAGE, and GAGE gene expression in 24 ESCC and 24 esophageal adenocarcinomas by RT-PCR and correlated their expression patterns with principal prognostic parameters and long term survival. Sixteen ESCC (67%) and 9 adenocarcinomas (38%) expressed at least one of the studied genes. The expression of each MAGE gene in the two histologic types was not significantly different, with the exception of MAGE-4, which was expressed more frequently in ESCC samples than in adenocarcinoma samples.

BAGE and GAGE expression was low. In each sample it was associated with the expression of at least one MAGE gene. Gene expression was not correlated with disease progression, Dacomitinib TNM factors or survival.1212 Expression of MAGE-A proteins in ESCC was also studied by immunohistochemistry.13,14 Immunohistochemical analysis of MAGE-A protein expression in 98 patients with ESCC or adenocarcinoma showed positive reaction in five out of 32 adenocarcinomas (15%) and in 33 out of 66 (50%) ESCC.