Biopolymers and cell. 2003; 19 (6): 541 - 547

Identification of tumor-associated antigens in human thyroid papillar carcinoma

N. V. Rodnin, I. O. Tykhonkova, R. G. Kyyamova, O. M. Garifulin, I. T. Gout, V. V. Filonenko

In this study two cDNA expressing libraries generated from thyroid papillar carcinomas were screened using SEREX approach. Thirty positive cDNA clones representing seventeen different genes were identified from both libraries. It is important to note, that three of them were isolated previously by other laboratories in SEREX screens of various types of human cancer. These include transcription factor NZF, a-catenin and BAG RP11 — a protein with unknown function. Moreover, we identified a whole panel of novel potential tumor-associated antigens, which would be further investigated. We are particularly interested in more detailed analysis of cathepsin H and transducer of ErbB2 (TOB2), which are differentially expressed in various types of human cancer. We will analyse the frequency of autoantibodies against identified antigens in sera of patients with various malignancies and healthy donors by heterologous screening. It is expected that among the clones isolated in this study, there might be novel cancer-associated markers.