NYESO1

NY-ESO-1, also known as NYESO-1 and encoded by the CTAG1 gene, is a cancer/testis antigen in humans. It is one of the most studied members of this antigen family, characterized by restricted normal expression to germline tissues such as the testis and, to a lesser extent, placenta, while being aberrantly expressed in various cancers.

In tumors, NY-ESO-1 is frequently detected in melanomas, synovial sarcoma, and cancers of the lung, ovary, cervix, and other sites. Its expression is associated with immunogenicity, and many patients develop antibody or T cell responses against NY-ESO-1, indicating its potential as a target for immunotherapy.

The NY-ESO-1 protein is a small cytosolic/nuclear antigen of approximately 180 amino acids and about 20 kDa. The gene's promoter is usually silenced by methylation in normal tissues but becomes demethylated in cancers, facilitating ectopic expression. Immunodominant epitopes are recognized by CD8+ T cells and, in some contexts, by CD4+ T cells.

Because of its tumor-restricted expression and immunogenicity, NY-ESO-1 is a leading target in cancer vaccines, peptide and vector-based immunotherapies, and adoptive T cell therapies, including TCR-engineered approaches. Detection and measurement in tumors employs immunohistochemistry and serological assays, and monitoring NY-ESO-1 expression can aid in patient selection for immunotherapy trials.