E. Jager et al., Humoral immune responses of cancer patients against "Cancer-Testis" antigen NY-ESO-1: Correlation with clinical events, INT J CANC, 84(5), 1999, pp. 506-510
Humoral immune responses against the "Cancer-Testis" (CT) antigen NY-ESO-1
are frequently observed in patients with NY-ESO-1 expressing tumors. This i
s in contrast to other known tumor antigens (TA) defined by antibody or cyt
otoxic T cell (CTL) reactivity, i.e., MAGE-1, MAGE-3, SSX2, Melan A, and ty
rosinase. No NY-ESO-1 antibody has been detected in healthy controls and pa
tients with NY-ESO-1 negative tumors. In this study, we have assessed the N
Y-ESO-1 serum antibody response in patients with NY-ESO-1 positive tumors o
f different histological types and stages using Western blotting and an ELI
SA. Of the 12 patients analyzed, 10 had demonstrable NY-ESO-1 antibodies at
the start of the study. All patients were followed for changes in NY-ESO-1
antibody titers during the course of tumor treatment and clinical evolutio
n. In 4 patients, an increase of NY-ESO-1 antibody titer was observed with
progression of disease or extensive tumor necrosis under treatment. One pat
ient showed a stable NY-ESO-1 antibody titer over 3 years along with gradua
l regression of a large tumor mass. In 5 patients, a decrease of NY-ESO-1 a
ntibody was detected: in 1 patient after curative tumor resection, in 3 pat
ients with partial regression of metastatic disease under chemo- and immuno
therapy, and in another patient with a NY-ESO-1 negative tumor relapse. Our
results indicate that the induction and maintenance of NY-ESO-1 antibody i
s dependent on the presence of NY-ESO-1 expressing tumors. Furthermore, cha
nges in NY-ESO-1 antibody titers correlate with the evolution of NY-ESO-1 p
ositive disease. Int. J. Cancer (Pred. Oncol.) 84:506-510, 1999. (C) 1999 W
iley-Liss, Inc.