Forkhead box protein M1-derived peptide epitopes (FOXM1 peptide epitopes)

Forkhead Box M1 (FOXM1)-derived peptide epitopes are short sequences of amino acids processed from the FOXM1 protein and presented on the cell surface by Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) molecules. FOXM1 is a key transcription factor that regulates the expression of genes essential for cell cycle progression, DNA repair, and angiogenesis. While it is highly expressed during embryonic development and in proliferating cells, its expression in normal adult tissues is very restricted, yet it is significantly upregulated in a vast array of human cancers [PMID: 28233471]. This differential expression pattern makes FOXM1-derived peptides potent tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) for immunotherapy. Therapeutic interventions, such as peptide vaccines (e.g., FOXM1-235 and FOXM1-362), aim to prime the immune system to recognize these epitopes and mount a cytotoxic T-cell response against malignant cells [PMID: 24583791]. This strategy effectively targets the oncogenic activity of FOXM1 by utilizing the cellular machinery of antigen presentation to flag cancer cells for destruction.

Other names

FOXM1 epitopesFOXM1-derived HLA-restricted peptidesForkhead box M1 antigenic peptidesFOXM1-derived tumor-associated antigens

Induction of antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses through the presentation of FOXM1 peptides on HLA molecules, leading to the targeted lysis of FOXM1-overexpressing tumor cells [PMID: 24583791].