Cancer testis antigens: a novel target in lung cancer

Int Rev Immunol. 2012 Oct;31(5):321-43. doi: 10.3109/08830185.2012.723512.

Abstract

Lung cancer is the main cause of cancer mortality worldwide. This is mainly due to the fact that it is diagnosed in advanced stage patients, which are no more surgically curable. Consequently, searching for novel treatments and new modalities for early diagnosis offers great promise to improve the clinical outcome. Recently, a new group of antigens, the cancer testis antigens, have been described as possible early diagnostic tools and therapeutic targets in cancer therapy.This review will report emerging evidences of cancer testis antigens deregulation in lung cancer and explore the state of the art of their currently known role and potential as markers for early diagnosis and disease progression and targets of an immunotherapeutic approach aiming to improve the cure rate of this tumor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Neoplasm / classification
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / genetics*
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / immunology
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / classification
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / immunology
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • CpG Islands
  • DNA Methylation
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy*
  • Lung / immunology
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / immunology
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Male
  • Testis / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Biomarkers, Tumor