B-Raf proto-oncogene neoantigen peptide (BRAF neoantigen)

B-Raf proto-oncogene (BRAF) neoantigen peptides are short sequences of amino acids derived from the mutated BRAF protein, most commonly the V600E substitution found in various malignancies such as melanoma and colorectal cancer. These peptides are generated through intracellular proteasomal degradation of the mutant protein and are subsequently presented on the cell surface by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Class I or Class II molecules (PubMed: 25303982). Because these neoantigens arise from somatic mutations unique to tumor cells, they are not subject to central thymic tolerance, making them highly immunogenic and specific targets for immunotherapy (NIH: PMC4550543). Therapeutic approaches targeting these peptides include personalized neoantigen vaccines (peptide or mRNA-based) and TCR-engineered T-cell therapies designed to recognize the BRAF V600E epitope. By stimulating a robust, mutation-specific T-cell response, these therapies aim to selectively eliminate cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue that lacks the BRAF mutation (Nature: 10.1038/nature14426).

Other names

BRAF V600E neoantigenBRAF-mutated neoepitopeBRAF V600E peptideMutant BRAF-derived antigen

Induction of tumor-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) and helper T-cell responses through MHC-restricted presentation of mutated peptide sequences.