Objectives: The present study examined the relationship between MAGE-A tumor antigens and the efficacy of diamindichloridoplatin (DDP), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), docetaxel, and paclitaxel for in vitro treatment of head and neck cancer.
Methods: In the present study, five cell lines of human squamous cell carcinomas were treated with DDP (25-400 μM), 5-FU (0.75-12 mM), docetaxel (1.56-25 nM), and paclitaxel (1.56-25 nM) for a period of 24 or 48 h. The efficacy of the agents was observed dynamically using real-time cell analysis. Subsequently, the expression levels of MAGE-A1, MAGE-A5, MAGE-A8, MAGE-A9, MAGE-A11, and MAGE-A12 were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Chemosensitivity and MAGE-A-expression were correlated by linear regression.
Results: The tumor cell lines showed a highly differentiated response to the chemotherapeutic agents. Expression of MAGE-A11 was significantly associated with a poorer response to treatment with DDP, 5-FU, docetaxel, and paclitaxel. Two cell lines, one of which was MAGE-A11-positive, showed a significant and concentration-dependent cisplatin-induced growth spurt during the first 24 h after treatment. MAGE-A5 was connected to a positive effect on treatment with paclitaxel within the first 24 h after application. In association with docetaxel treatment, MAGE-A8 was connected to a poorer susceptibility.
Conclusions: The results describe, for the first time, a correlation between these MAGE-A tumor antigens and the susceptibility of head and neck cancer cells to DDP, 5-FU, docetaxel, and paclitaxel.
Clinical relevance: These findings could affect the antineoplastic treatment of patients with MAGE-A11-positive tumors.