Massive expression of germ cell-specific genes is a hallmark of cancer and a potential target for novel treatment development.

ABSTRACT: Cancer cells have been found to frequently express genes that are normally restricted to the testis, often referred to as cancer/testis (CT) antigens or genes. Because germ cell-specific antigens are not recognized as "self" by the innate immune system, CT-genes have previously been suggested as ideal candidate targets for cancer therapy. The use of CT-genes in cancer therapy has thus far been unsuccessful, most likely because their identification has relied on gene expression in whole testis, including the testicular somatic cells, precluding the detection of true germ cell-specific genes. By comparing the transcriptomes of micro-dissected germ cell subtypes, representing the main developmental stages of human spermatogenesis, with the publicly accessible transcriptomes of 2617 samples fr

SUBMITTER: Bruggeman JW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6193945 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature