HLA-A2-presented glioma-associated antigen peptides (HLA-A2-GAA peptides)

HLA-A2-presented glioma-associated antigen peptides are a collection of tumor-specific or tumor-associated protein fragments displayed on the surface of glioma cells by the Human Leukocyte Antigen A2 (HLA-A2) major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule (NCI Drug Dictionary). These peptides are derived from proteins that are overexpressed or uniquely expressed in malignant gliomas, such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), including antigens like IL-13Ra2, EphA2, and Survivin (PubMed: 21063856, 20156424). In the context of immunotherapy, these peptides serve as targets for synthetic vaccines like IMA950 and SL-701, or dendritic cell therapies such as ICT-107, which are designed to prime the patient's immune system (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00874861, NCT01920191). Upon administration, the peptides are recognized by CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), which then seek out and destroy tumor cells presenting these specific epitopes (Cancer.gov). This approach aims to provide a highly specific anti-tumor response while minimizing damage to healthy brain tissue, addressing the significant therapeutic challenge of treating aggressive and infiltrative brain tumors (NIH: PMC8132111).

Other names

Glioma-associated antigensGAAHLA-A*0201-restricted glioma antigensTumor-associated antigens in gliomaGlioma peptide antigensHLA-A2-restricted synthetic glioma antigen peptides

Stimulation of the host immune system to mount a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response against tumor cells expressing the corresponding GAAs. The peptides are presented by HLA-A2 molecules on the surface of tumor cells or antigen-presenting cells, where they are recognized by CD8+ T cells, leading to tumor cell lysis.