Dickkopf-related protein 1 peptide-HLA complex (DKK1-HLA complex)

Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1) is a secreted protein that acts as a potent inhibitor of the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway by binding to the LRP5/6 receptors (UniProt Consortium, 2023). While DKK1 plays a role in embryonic development and bone homeostasis, it is frequently overexpressed in various malignancies, including multiple myeloma, prostate cancer, and lung cancer, where it contributes to tumor progression and bone destruction (Katoh & Katoh, 2007). The DKK1 peptide epitope as presented by HLA class I/II refers to specific fragments of the DKK1 protein that are processed and displayed on the cell surface by Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) molecules. These peptide-HLA complexes serve as critical targets for cancer immunotherapy, as they allow the immune system, specifically T cells, to distinguish malignant cells from healthy ones (Betts et al., 2017). Therapeutic strategies targeting this complex include peptide-based vaccines and T-cell receptor (TCR) engineered T-cell therapies designed to trigger a robust cytotoxic immune response against DKK1-positive tumors (Qian et al., 2012). Clinical development has focused on identifying immunogenic epitopes, such as those presented by HLA-A*02:01, to treat patients with high DKK1-expressing cancers.

Other names

DKK1-derived peptide presented by MHCDKK1-HLA-A*02:01Dickkopf-1 peptide epitopeDKK1 antigen-HLA complex

Induction of a specific cytotoxic T-cell response against tumor cells presenting DKK1-derived peptides on their surface via HLA molecules.