Melanoma-associated antigen C1 (MAGE-C1) (MAGE-C1)

Melanoma-associated antigen C1 (MAGE-C1), also known as Cancer-testis antigen 7 (CT7), is a member of the Type I MAGE family, which is characterized by restricted expression in the testis and high expression in various cancers (UniProt: O60732). It is notably one of the most frequently expressed cancer-testis antigens in multiple myeloma, where its presence is linked to increased plasma cell proliferation and poor clinical outcomes (PubMed: 11133733). MAGE-C1 functions biologically by interacting with proteins like TRIM28 and p53, thereby modulating apoptosis and promoting tumor cell survival (PubMed: 21150115). Because it is not expressed in normal somatic tissues, it serves as an ideal target for immunotherapy, including T-cell receptor (TCR) engineered T-cell therapies and cancer vaccines (PubMed: 25635005). Clinical trials have explored MAGE-C1-targeted vaccines to induce specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses in patients with advanced malignancies (ClinicalTrials.gov). The target's role in maintaining the malignant phenotype makes it a focus for both diagnostic profiling and therapeutic intervention in hematologic and solid tumors.

Other names

Cancer-testis antigen 7CT7CT7.1Cancer/testis antigen 7.1MAGE-C1 antigen

Induction of antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses and direct T-cell mediated lysis of MAGE-C1-expressing tumor cells.