Baculoviral IAP repeat-containing protein 5 (Survivin) peptide-HLA class I complex (Survivin-HLA-I complex)

The Survivin peptide-HLA class I complex is a tumor-specific molecular assembly consisting of a peptide fragment derived from the Baculoviral IAP repeat-containing protein 5 (Survivin) bound to a Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) class I molecule. Survivin is a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family that is highly upregulated in nearly all human malignancies but is minimally expressed in terminally differentiated normal tissues, making it an ideal target for immunotherapy (Source: PubMed, PMID: 29635232). On the surface of tumor cells, these complexes serve as red flags for the immune system, specifically recognized by the T-cell receptors (TCRs) of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (Source: UniProt, O15392). Therapeutic interventions targeting this complex include peptide-based vaccines, such as SurVaxM, and adoptive cell therapies using TCR-engineered T cells designed to trigger a robust anti-tumor immune response (Source: ClinicalTrials.gov). By focusing on this complex, clinicians aim to exploit the differential expression of Survivin to achieve selective destruction of cancer cells while minimizing off-target toxicity to healthy organs. This target is particularly relevant in aggressive cancers like glioblastoma and ovarian cancer where Survivin expression correlates with poor prognosis and treatment resistance.

Other names

Survivin-MHC class I complexBIRC5 peptide-HLA complexSurvivin-HLA-A*02:01 complexSurvivin-derived peptide-MHC complex

Induction of a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response through the recognition of the Survivin peptide presented by HLA class I molecules, resulting in the selective apoptosis of tumor cells.