BCR-ABL fusion protein-derived peptides (BCR-ABL peptides)

BCR-ABL fusion protein-derived peptides are neoantigens resulting from the reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22, known as the Philadelphia chromosome (Bocchia et al., 1996; Creative Peptides). This genetic event creates a chimeric BCR-ABL gene that translates into a fusion protein (p210 or p190) with a unique amino acid sequence at the junction point, which is entirely absent in normal cells (NIH). These junctional peptides can be processed and presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules on the surface of leukemic cells, making them ideal targets for T-cell-mediated immunotherapy (Clark et al., 2001; ResearchGate). Therapeutic strategies include peptide vaccines and T-cell receptor (TCR) engineered T-cells designed to recognize these specific sequences (Bocchia et al., 2004). Targeting these peptides aims to eradicate residual leukemic cells, particularly in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia chromosome-positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (Ph+ ALL) (NIH). Unlike tyrosine kinase inhibitors that target the protein's enzymatic activity, peptide-based approaches leverage the immune system to achieve a molecular cure by targeting the leukemic clone specifically (Rojas et al., 2007).

Other names

BCR-ABL junctional peptidesBCR-ABL neoantigensp210 fusion peptidesp190 fusion peptidesb3a2 peptidesb2a2 peptidese1a2 peptidesPhiladelphia chromosome-derived peptides

Induction of peptide-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) and CD4+ T-cell responses that recognize and eliminate leukemic cells presenting BCR-ABL junctional neoantigens on their surface via MHC molecules (Bocchia et al., 2004; Clark et al., 2001).