HLA-A*24:02-restricted Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 peptide epitope (HLA-A*24:02-VEGFR2 epitope)

The HLA-A*24:02-presented VEGFR2 peptide epitope is a molecular complex formed by the binding of a specific peptide fragment from Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 (VEGFR2/KDR) to the HLA-A*24:02 MHC class I molecule (UniProt P35968; PMID: 20848015). VEGFR2 is a primary driver of tumor angiogenesis and is significantly upregulated in the neovasculature of various solid malignancies (PMID: 25344360). This epitope serves as a target for cancer immunotherapy, particularly in East Asian populations where the HLA-A*24:02 allele is prevalent (Allele Frequency Net Database). Therapeutic interventions, such as the peptide vaccine Elpamotide (also known as VEGFR2-169), are designed to stimulate the production of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) that specifically recognize this complex (PMID: 22451321). These CTLs then attack VEGFR2-expressing endothelial cells, effectively starving the tumor by disrupting its blood supply. Clinical trials have investigated this target in several cancers, including pancreatic and gastric cancer, though efficacy can be limited by the tumor microenvironment (PMID: 28251383). Overall, this target represents a precision medicine approach to anti-angiogenic therapy by leveraging the cellular immune system.

Other names

VEGFR2-169 peptideKDR-169ElpamotideHLA-A*24:02-restricted KDR peptideVascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2-169VEGFR2-1084 peptide

Induction of peptide-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) that recognize and lyse VEGFR2-expressing endothelial cells and tumor cells (PMID: 20848015).