G antigen 2A (GAGE2A) (GAGE2A)

G antigen 2A (GAGE2A) is a member of the GAGE family of cancer-testis antigens (CTAs), which are proteins typically expressed only in germ cells of the testis but aberrantly activated in various malignancies [Source 1, 5]. GAGE2A plays a role in promoting cell survival and resistance to apoptosis by interacting with and modulating the levels of apoptotic regulators such as interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1) and nucleophosmin (NPM1) [Source 5, 19]. It is also recruited to the nuclear envelope through its interaction with the transcriptional regulator Germ cell-less (GCL), which is important for nuclear envelope integrity and germ cell development [Source 5, 28]. In cancer cells, GAGE2A expression is often activated by epigenetic dysregulation, such as DNA hypomethylation, and correlates with poor prognosis in several tumor types [Source 5, 6]. Due to its highly restricted expression in normal tissues and broad expression in tumors like melanoma, lung cancer, and neuroblastoma, GAGE2A is considered a promising target for cancer immunotherapy [Source 6, 26]. Therapeutic approaches under investigation include cancer vaccines and T-cell receptor (TCR) engineered T-cell therapies designed to recognize GAGE2A-derived peptides [Source 21, 26]. These strategies aim to induce a potent cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response that specifically targets and eliminates GAGE2A-expressing tumor cells [Source 1, 21]. Because the testis is an immune-privileged site, targeting GAGE2A is expected to have a low risk of off-target autoimmune toxicity [Source 5, 6].

Other names

GAGE2GAGE-2GAGE-2ACancer/testis antigen 4.2CT4.2G antigen 2BG antigen 2CG antigen 2

Induction of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response against GAGE2-derived peptides presented on MHC molecules.