EphA2-derived HLA-A*0201-restricted epitope (EphA2/HLA-A*0201)

The EphA2-derived HLA-A*0201-restricted epitope is a specific peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) target used in cancer immunotherapy. It consists of a short peptide sequence, such as the well-characterized TLADFDPRV (EphA2 883-891), derived from the Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular receptor A2 (EphA2) and presented by the HLA-A*0201 molecule (Alves et al., 2003, The Journal of Immunology). EphA2 is a receptor tyrosine kinase that is significantly overexpressed in various malignancies, including glioblastoma, melanoma, and lung cancer, where it promotes tumor growth, invasion, and angiogenesis (Yamaguchi et al., 2017, Cancer Science). Because EphA2 expression is limited in normal adult tissues, these epitopes serve as highly specific markers for T-cell recognition. Therapeutic strategies targeting this epitope include peptide-based vaccines like IMA950 and adoptive cell therapies using T-cell receptors (TCRs) engineered to recognize the EphA2/HLA-A*0201 complex (Dutoit et al., 2012, Journal of Translational Medicine). These interventions aim to activate or provide CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes that can selectively eliminate EphA2-positive tumor cells.

Other names

EphA2 peptide-HLA-A*0201 complexEphA2 883-891 epitopeTLADFDPRV peptideEphA2-derived T-cell epitopeEphA2/HLA-A2

Induction of peptide-specific CD8+ T-cell mediated cytotoxicity against EphA2-expressing tumor cells.