HLA-A*02:01-MART-1(26-35) peptide complex (HLA-A2/MART-1)

The HLA-A*02:01-MART-1 peptide complex is a specific peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) class I molecule presented on the surface of cells, particularly melanoma cells. MART-1 (Melanoma Antigen Recognized by T cells 1), also known as Melan-A, is a lineage-specific differentiation antigen highly expressed in most melanomas and normal melanocytes (UniProt Q16655). The HLA-A*02:01 allele is one of the most common MHC class I alleles in the Caucasian population, making this specific pMHC a prominent target for cancer immunotherapy. Therapeutic strategies targeting this complex include T-cell receptor (TCR) engineered T-cell therapies and bispecific molecules designed to redirect T cells to kill MART-1-expressing tumor cells (NCT00070343). Because MART-1 is also expressed in healthy melanocytes, treatment can lead to on-target, off-tumor toxicities affecting the skin, eyes, and inner ear (PMID: 19307501). Despite these challenges, it remains a foundational model for developing antigen-specific cancer vaccines and adoptive cell transfers.

Other names

HLA-A*02:01-Melan-A complexMART-1/HLA-A*02:01A2/MART-1Melan-A/HLA-A*02:01HLA-A2-MART-1(26-35)

The target is recognized by specific T-cell receptors (TCRs) on the surface of engineered T cells or bispecific molecules, which triggers the activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and the subsequent destruction of the presenting cell.