| Modification Notes |
The melanoma-associated antigen (MAGE) family consists of a number of antigens recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The MAGE genes were initially isolated from different kinds of tumors. Based on their virtually exclusive tumor-specific expression in adult tissues, they have been used as targets for cancer immunotherapy. MAGE genes encode for tumor-rejection antigens and are expressed in tumors of different histologic types, but not in normal tissues, with the exception of testis and placenta. Although a large number of MAGE genes have now been identified and extensively studied in tumors of various origin, their function in normal cells remains unknown. Also referred to as CT7, MAGE-C1 is a member of the MAGE family that is expressed in multiple myeloma and that correlates with plasma-cell proliferation. |