The MAGEA family is comprised of 12 highly homologous genes clusted at Xq28. The genes are characterized by the presence of a conserved domain (MHD, MAGE Homology Domain).

MAGEA8 has been reported to be expressed in hepatobiliary and lung cancers at the mRNA level.

Spontaneous humoral and cellular immune responses against MAGEA8 have been detected in cancer patients.

MAGE family proteins bind to and activate RING E3 ubiquitin ligases.