HLA-A*02:01 presenting NY-ESO-1 (157-165) epitope (HLA-A*02:01/NY-ESO-1(157-165))

The HLA-A*02:01 presenting NY-ESO-1 (157-165) epitope is a specific peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) found on the surface of various malignant cells. NY-ESO-1, encoded by the CTAG1B gene, is a well-characterized cancer-testis antigen (CTA) that is typically expressed in germ cells of the testis but is aberrantly upregulated in numerous cancers, including synovial sarcoma and melanoma (PMID: 9034902). The specific 9-amino acid peptide sequence SLLMWITQC is processed intracellularly and presented by the HLA-A*02:01 allele, which is one of the most common HLA types in Caucasian populations. This complex serves as a critical target for advanced immunotherapies, particularly T-cell receptor (TCR) engineered T-cell therapies and bispecific T-cell engagers (ImmTACs), which are designed to recognize the pMHC with high affinity (PMID: 25735478). Because NY-ESO-1 expression is highly restricted to tumor tissues and immune-privileged sites, it is considered an ideal target for minimizing off-target toxicity while maximizing anti-tumor efficacy. Clinical trials for drugs like afamitresgene autoleucel have demonstrated significant response rates in patients whose tumors express this specific antigen-HLA combination (PMID: 32103343).

Other names

NY-ESO-1 peptide-HLA-A*02:01 complexSLLMWITQC-HLA-A*02:01CTAG1B-HLA-A*02:01NY-ESO-1:157-165/HLA-A2

T-cell receptor (TCR) mediated recognition of the peptide-MHC complex leading to T-cell activation, cytokine release, and targeted lysis of tumor cells.