Overexpression of cancer‐testis antigen melanoma‐associated antigen A1 in lung cancer: A novel biomarker for prognosis, and a possible target for immunotherapy

Abstract Aim We investigated melanoma‐associated antigen A1 (MAGE‐A1) expression in lung cancer tissues and its correlation with prognostic factors. Materials and Methods In this cross‐sectional study, samples from 101 patients with lung cancer were obtained between 2007 and 2014 and stained for MAGE‐A1 by immunohistochemistry. Correlation with prognostic factors was assessed by t test, and χ 2 , and Pearson’s tests. Results Eighty non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 21 small‐cell lung cancer specimens were stained for MAGE‐A1. MAGE‐A1 was detected more commonly in adenocarcinomas and was expressed more frequently in male and patients >60 years. Conclusions MAGE‐A1 was found in several lung cancer patients. MAGE‐A1 was expressed more commonly in NSCLC, elderly, and men. Further investigations are needed to assess MAGE‐A1 as potential cancer biomarkers.