Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 2 (LMP2) peptide-HLA-A*02:01 complex (EBV LMP2/HLA-A*02:01)

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 2 (LMP2) peptide presented by HLA-A*02:01 is a specific therapeutic target for EBV-associated malignancies such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma and Hodgkin lymphoma (PubMed: 25239444). LMP2 is a viral protein expressed during the latency phase of the EBV life cycle, serving as a tumor-associated antigen that is absent in healthy, non-infected tissues (UniProt: P13285). The specific peptide CLGGLLTMV (LMP2 426-434) is a well-characterized epitope restricted by the HLA-A*02:01 allele, which is prevalent in many human populations (PubMed: 15141010). Immunotherapeutic strategies targeting this complex include T-cell receptor (TCR) engineered T-cells and TCR-like antibodies designed to recognize the unique peptide-MHC configuration. These therapies aim to induce a potent cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response to eliminate EBV-positive tumor cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. Clinical development focuses on patients who are HLA-A*02:01 positive and have tumors confirmed to be EBV-driven through biomarkers like EBV-encoded RNA (EBER). This target is particularly valuable because it allows for the treatment of cancers with a high viral load using highly specific immune-mediated mechanisms (PubMed: 30206144).

Other names

LMP2 peptide-HLA-A*02:01CLGGLLTMV-HLA-A*02:01 complexEBV LMP2A epitopeHLA-A*02:01-restricted EBV LMP2 antigenLMP2:426-434 peptide-MHC complex

T-cell receptor (TCR) mediated recognition of the peptide-MHC complex leading to T-cell activation and targeted cytotoxicity against EBV-positive cells.