The Utility of MAGE Gene Detection in Bronchial Washing Fluid for Patients with Peripheral NSCLC.

Kim, Suhyun; Kim, Hojoong; Kwon, O Jung; Chung, Man Pyo; Suh, Gee Young; Koh, Won Jung; Ham, Cho Rom; Nam, Hae Seong; Um, Sang Won; Kwon, Yong Soo; Park, Sunghoon

doi:2008.64.1.15

Tuberc Respir Dis > Volume 64(1); 2008 > Article

Original Article

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2008;64(1):15-21.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2008.64.1.15 Published online January 1, 2008.

The Utility of MAGE Gene Detection in Bronchial Washing Fluid for Patients with Peripheral NSCLC.

Suhyun Kim, Hojoong Kim, O Jung Kwon, Man Pyo Chung, Gee Young Suh, Won Jung Koh, Cho Rom Ham, Hae Seong Nam, Sang Won Um, Yong Soo Kwon, Sunghoon Park

Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. hjk3425@skku.edu

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The melanoma antigen-encoding (MAGE) genes are known to be expressed in various cancer cells, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and are silent in all normal tissues except for the testis. In patients with peripheral NSCLC, bronchial washing fluid can be used to detect the MAGE genes, suggesting a diagnosis of lung cancer. In order to evaluate the diagnostic utility of the MAGE test in patients with peripheral NSCLC, bronchial washing fluid was investigated in patients with peripheral pulmonary nodules, which were invisible as detected by bronchoscopy. METHODS: Bronchial washing fluid from 37 patients was used for cytological examinations and MAGE gene detection, using RT-nested-PCR of common A1-A6 mRNA. Results were compared to a final diagnosis of patients as confirmed by pathology. RESULTS: Among the 37 subjects, NSCLC was diagnosed in 21 patients, and benign pulmonary diseases were diagnosed in 16 patients. MAGE mRNA was detected in 10 of 21 (47.6%) NSCLC patients, while conventional cytology examinations were positive for MAGE expression in 2 of 21 (9.5%) cases. MAGE expression was observed in 4 of 16 (25%) benign pulmonary disease patients. CONCLUSION: The MAGE test of bronchial washing fluid can be used as a sensitive predictor of peripheral NSCLC patients.

Key Words: Melanoma antigen gene (MAGE), Lung neoplasm, Coin lesion