Abstract: To investigate the expression of MAGE and BAGE， GAGE genes in tissues of endometrial carcinoma and normal endometrium，and evaluate the possibility of using these genes as molecular markers and as targets of specific immunotherapy for endometrial carcinoma. Methods：Samples of 35 endometrial carcinomas and 15 normal endometria were examined with reversepolymerase chain reaction（RTPCR） for the expression of MAGE1， MAGE3， BAGE and GAGE12. Results： In 35 endometrial carcinoma tissues， 46％（16/35）， 49％（17/35）, 20％（7/35）and 26％（9/35）of MAGE1， MAGE3， BAGE and GAGE12 mRNAs, respectively were expressed. At least one gene transcription was detected in 77％ of the endometrial carcinoma samples. While no expression was observed in 15 normal endometrial tissues. There was no significant correlation between the expression of MAGE1， MAGE3， BAGE and the clinical stage or histological grade of endometrial carcinoma. There was no significant correlation between GAGE12 and the clinical stage too, but there was a significant correlation between GAGE12 and the histological grade. Conclusions： Our study indicates that MAGE1， MAGE3， BAGE and GAGE12 are relatively high expressed in endometrial carcinoma. These tumorspecific antigens can be used as molecular markers for diagnosis and possible targets for immunotherapy for endometrial carcinoma.

Key words: Endometrial neoplasms, Tumourspecific antigen, Genes, MAGE, Genes, BAGE, Genes, GAGE