Baculoviral IAP repeat-containing protein 5 peptide–HLA-A*02:01 complex (Survivin-HLA-A*02:01)

The Survivin peptide–HLA-A*02:01 complex is a specific tumor-associated antigen (TAA) formed by the presentation of a Survivin-derived peptide (typically Sur9 or Sur1M) by the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Class I molecule HLA-A*02:01 (PMID: 15150570). Survivin, encoded by the BIRC5 gene, is a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family that is overexpressed in nearly all human malignancies while being nearly absent in normal adult tissues, providing a wide therapeutic window (PMID: 29118384). This complex is a critical target for cancer immunotherapies, including peptide-based vaccines like SurVaxM and adoptive T-cell therapies using TCR-engineered T cells (PMID: 31515463). By targeting this complex, therapies aim to harness the specificity of the immune system to selectively eliminate cancer cells that utilize Survivin to evade programmed cell death. Clinical applications are primarily focused on HLA-A*02:01-positive patients with glioblastoma, ovarian cancer, and other solid tumors where Survivin expression is a marker of poor prognosis.

Other names

Survivin-HLA-A2 complexBIRC5 peptide-MHC complexSurvivin-MHC class I complexSurvivin-HLA-A*02:01SVN53-67-HLA-A*02:01Sur9-HLA-A*02:01

The mechanism of action involves the specific binding of therapeutic agents, such as T-cell receptors (TCRs) or antibodies, to the Survivin peptide presented by the HLA-A*02:01 molecule. This interaction triggers an immune response, typically through the activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) that release granzymes and perforins to induce apoptosis in the target cancer cell (PMID: 15150570, PMID: 31515463).