HLA-A*2402-restricted Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 (VEGFR2) peptide 169 (HLA-A*2402/VEGFR2-169)

The HLA-A*2402-restricted VEGFR2-169 epitope is a specific peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) target utilized in cancer immunotherapy to disrupt tumor angiogenesis (Miyazawa et al., 2002, PMID: 12414657). It consists of a 9-amino acid peptide (RFVPDGNRI) derived from the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 (VEGFR2), which is presented on the cell surface by the HLA-A*2402 allele. This complex is highly expressed on the surface of tumor-associated endothelial cells, which are critical for the formation of new blood vessels that sustain tumor growth (Schmitz-Winnenthal et al., 2015, PMID: 25949411). By targeting this epitope, therapeutic agents like the oral DNA vaccine VXM01 or peptide vaccines aim to stimulate the production of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) that selectively recognize and lyse these endothelial cells. This approach effectively "starves" the tumor by destroying its vascular support system, offering a strategy that is less prone to the genetic instability and drug resistance often seen in direct tumor cell targeting. This target is particularly significant in East Asian populations where the HLA-A*2402 allele is highly prevalent (Wada et al., 2005, PMID: 15752834).

Other names

VEGFR2-169KDR-169HLA-A*24:02-restricted VEGFR2 epitopeVascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 peptide 169VEGFR2-169/HLA-A24 complex

Induction of antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response against tumor-associated endothelial cells