HLA-A*24:02-presented Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein 1-derived peptide (HLA-A*24:02/EBV LMP1)

The HLA-A*24:02-presented Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1)-derived peptide is a specific peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) target utilized in the development of targeted immunotherapies (Source: PubMed PMID: 15141007). LMP1 is a primary oncogenic protein of EBV, essential for B-cell transformation and frequently expressed in EBV-associated malignancies such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and certain lymphomas (Source: UniProt P03230). The HLA-A*24:02 allele is one of the most common MHC class I alleles in East Asian populations, making this specific pMHC complex a high-priority target for regional EBV-related cancers (Source: PubMed PMID: 29351553). Therapeutic approaches, particularly T-cell receptor (TCR)-engineered T-cell therapies like TT11, are designed to recognize the LMP1 peptide (typically the 419-427 sequence, TYGPVFMSL) presented by HLA-A*24:02 to induce a potent cytotoxic immune response against tumor cells (Source: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04509726). This target is highly specific to infected or transformed cells, offering a narrow therapeutic window to minimize off-target effects on healthy tissues. However, challenges include potential cross-reactivity with similar self-peptides and the risk of tumor immune evasion through the downregulation of HLA expression. Monitoring EBV DNA load and LMP1 expression levels can serve as important biomarkers for treatment efficacy and patient selection. Overall, this pMHC complex represents a promising avenue for precision medicine in populations with high rates of EBV-driven cancers.

Other names

HLA-A*24:02/LMP1 complexEBV LMP1 peptide-HLA-A*24:02LMP1(419-427)/HLA-A*24:02TYGPVFMSL/HLA-A*24:02 complex

T-cell receptor (TCR) mediated recognition of the peptide-MHC complex leading to T-cell activation and target cell lysis.