Identification of cancer antigens by SEREX

Sahin et al. introduced a new approach, termed serological identification of antigens by recombinant expression cloning (SEREX), for identification of tumor antigens. This approach uses diluted serum from cancer patients to detect prokaryotically expressed cDNA libraries prepared from tumors. Our SEREX study of human pancreatic adenocarcinoma led to the identification of 18 genes. We characterized one of them, heat shock protein 105 (hsp105), which showed over-expression especially in pancreatic ductal and colon adenocarcinoma. Also, our SEREX study of squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN) led to the identification of 19 genes, including three kinds of novel cancer/testis (CT) antigen. These antigens defined by us may be pertinent candidates for cancer-diagnosis and related immunotherapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]