Melanoma-associated antigen C1 (MAGE-C1 (also known as CT7))

Melanoma-associated antigen C1 (MAGE-C1, also known as Cancer/testis antigen 7 or CT7) is a tumor-associated antigen primarily and normally expressed in adult testicular germ cells, with aberrant expression in a variety of cancers, most frequently in multiple myeloma. It belongs to the MAGE family of cancer/testis antigens, encoded on the X chromosome, and plays a functional role in tumor cell survival by inhibiting apoptosis and regulating the cell cycle. CT7 is highly immunogenic and has become an attractive target for experimental cancer immunotherapies, particularly in multiple myeloma, where CT7-specific T cell responses are correlated with reductions in tumor markers and improved disease course. The anatomical expression of CT7 is highly restricted in normal tissues, making it an appealing target. CT7 is currently under investigation for its role in prognostication, patient selection, and as a direct target of experimental immunotherapies[1][2][3][4][5][7].

Other names

Cancer/testis antigen 7CT7MAGE-C1

Immunotherapeutic targeting (induction of antigen-specific T cell responses), inhibition via RNA interference increases apoptosis and cell cycle arrest[1][4]