Cancer cell neoantigen

Cancer cell neoantigens are novel protein antigens that arise from mutations in the DNA of tumor cells. These mutations—such as point mutations, insertions, deletions, alternative splicing events, or gene rearrangements—alter the amino acid sequence of proteins produced by cancer cells. The resulting mutant proteins are processed into peptides that are presented on the surface of cancer cells via human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules. Because these altered peptides do not exist in normal tissues and are recognized as "non-self" by the immune system, they can stimulate strong anti-tumor T-cell responses. There are two main types: shared neoantigens (arising from common driver mutations across patients) and personalized/unique neoantigens (specific to an individual’s tumor). Neoantigen-based therapies—including personalized vaccines—are being developed to harness this specificity for targeted immunotherapy against cancers while minimizing damage to healthy tissue.

Other names

NeoantigenTumor neoantigenCancer neoantigenNeoplasm antigen

Induction of anti-tumor T-cell responses by presenting mutated peptides on HLA molecules, leading to recognition and destruction of tumor cells by the immune system