Glioblastoma multiforme-associated tumor antigens (GBM-associated antigens)

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM)-associated tumor antigens are a heterogeneous group of proteins that are either uniquely expressed or significantly overexpressed in GBM cells compared to healthy brain tissue (PMID: 26307535). These antigens serve as the primary targets for advanced immunotherapeutic approaches, including peptide and dendritic cell vaccines, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies, and monoclonal antibodies (PMID: 30545834). Key examples include the mutation-specific Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor variant III (EGFRvIII), which is found in approximately 25-30% of GBM patients, and the Interleukin-13 receptor alpha 2 (IL-13Rα2), which is overexpressed in over 50% of cases (PMID: 28024238). Other notable targets include HER2, EphA2, and intracellular proteins such as Survivin and WT1 (PMID: 24685134). The biological role of these antigens often involves promoting tumor cell survival, proliferation, and resistance to apoptosis, making them ideal therapeutic targets. However, the clinical utility of targeting a single GBM antigen is frequently hampered by the high degree of intratumoral heterogeneity and the phenomenon of antigen escape, where the tumor recurs with cells that no longer express the targeted antigen (PMID: 28723355).

Other names

GBM tumor antigensGlioma-associated antigensGBM TAAsGlioblastoma-specific antigensGBM-associated surface proteins

Induction of targeted immune responses via active immunization (vaccines), adoptive cell transfer (CAR-T), or direct antibody-mediated cytotoxicity and signaling inhibition.