Alpha-fetoprotein-derived peptide–HLA-A*0201 complex (AFP-HLA-A*0201)

The Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-derived peptide–HLA-A*0201 complex is a tumor-associated antigen complex primarily targeted in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). AFP is a glycoprotein normally produced during fetal development, but its expression is reactivated in approximately 70-80% of HCC cases, while remaining minimal in healthy adult tissues (PubMed: 11506503). In this therapeutic context, specific immunogenic peptides derived from AFP, such as AFP158 or AFP542, are loaded onto the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-A*0201 molecule for presentation to the immune system (PubMed: 12670931). When presented on autologous dendritic cells—which are a patient's own professional antigen-presenting cells—this complex serves to prime and expand CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) capable of recognizing and lysing AFP-expressing tumor cells (PubMed: 17021315). This target is a cornerstone of personalized cancer vaccines and is increasingly being utilized in the development of TCR-engineered T-cell therapies and TCR-like antibodies (PubMed: 33461158). Therapeutic challenges include the potential for immune tolerance to AFP as a self-antigen and the risk of off-target effects in patients with chronic liver regeneration where AFP levels may be slightly elevated.

Other names

AFP-MHC class I complexAFP-peptide-HLA-A2 complexAFP158-HLA-A*0201AFP542-HLA-A*0201AFP-derived peptide-MHC complex

Induction of tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses through the presentation of tumor-associated antigens to the adaptive immune system (PubMed: 12670931).