Human genes MAGE-1 and MAGE-3 code for antigens that are recognized on melanoma cells by autologous cytolytic T lymphocytes. These antigens may constitute useful targets for specific anti-tumor immunization of cancer patients, since genes MAGE-1 and MAGE-3 are expressed in a number of tumors of different histological types, but are not expressed in normal adult tissues other than testis. This also applies to genes MAGE-2 and MAGE-4, which are closely related to MAGE-1 and MAGE-3. We have analyzed the expression of these 4 MAGE genes in cutaneous melanoma. Sixteen of 100 primary tumors vs. 69 (48%) of 145 metastases from individual patients expressed MAGE-1. Similar differences in the frequency of gene expression between primary and metastatic tumor samples were observed for MAGE-2, MAGE-3, and MAGE-4. MAGE expression in primary tumors was correlated with tumor thickness: there was a significantly increased frequency in the expression of MAGE-1, -2 and -3 in tumors of greater thickness. Benign and dysplastic nevi, as well as in situ melanomas, did not express any of the 4 MAGE genes.

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a b s t r a c tPurpose: To our knowledge, no study has specifically assessed the time course of anxiety during radiotherapy (RT). The objective of this study was to assess anxiety time courses in patients with nonmetastatic breast cancer. Material and methods: This multicenter, descriptive longitudinal study included 213 consecutive patients with breast cancer who completed visual analog scales (VASs) assessing state anxiety before and after the RT simulation and the first and last five RT sessions. Results: Pre-and post-session anxiety mean levels were highest at the RT simulation (respectively, 2.9 ± 2.9 and 1.6 ± 2.5) and first RT session (respectively, 3.4 ± 2.9 and 2.0 ± 2.4), then declined rapidly. Clinically relevant mean differences (P1 cm on the VAS) between pre-and post-simulation/session VAS scores were found only for the RT simulation (À1.3 ± 2.7; p < 0.001) and first RT session (À1.4 ± 2.4; p < 0.001). Five percent to 16% of patients presented clinically relevant anxiety (pre-and post-simulation/session VAS scores P 4 cm) throughout treatment. Conclusions: To optimize care, RT team members should offer all patients appropriate information about treatment at the simulation, check patients' understanding, and identify patients with clinically relevant anxiety requiring appropriate support throughout RT.