Abstract:OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether topotecan, a novel anti-tumor angent, down-regulates gene expression of melanoma antigen-encoding (MAGE) in HPB-AM cells. METHODS: MAGE mRNA expression of HPB-AM cells was detected by RT-PCR 4, 8, 12 and 16 hrs after different concentrations (0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20 μmol/L) of topotecan treatment. RESULTS: MAGE mRNA expression of HPB-AM cells decreased with increasing concentrations of topotecan 12 hrs after treatment. The MAGE mRNA expression of HPB-AM cells treated by 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20 μmol/L of topotecan was significantly lower than that in the blank control group (P<0.05). MAGE mRNA expression of HPB-AM cells was significantly reduced in a time-dependent manner after 0.10 μmol/L of topotecan treatment. The MAGE mRNA expression of HPB-AM cells treated by 0.10 μmol/L of topotecan was significantly lower than that in the blank control group 12 and 16 hrs after treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Topotecan is capable of inhibiting the expression of MAGE mRNA of HPB-AM cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner.[Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2009, 11 (8):679-682]