The heterogeneous expression of MAGE-3 protein: difference between primary lesions and metastatic lymph nodes in gastric carcinoma.

We evaluated the expression of MAGE-3 protein in gastric carcinoma by immunohistochemistry, and compared the frequency between primary lesions and metastatic lymph nodes. Primary lesions and metastatic lymph nodes of 38 cases of gastric carcinoma were analyzed using anti-MAGE-3 monoclonal antibody. Expression of MAGE-3 protein was detected in 17 (45%) primary lesions and 12 (32%) metastatic lymph nodes of 38 cases. In 70% of positive cases of primary lesions, the percentage of stained cells with MAGE-3 decreased in metastatic lymph nodes. The heterogeneous expression of MAGE-3 should be considered when we perform antigen specific immunotherapy for patients with gastric carcinoma.