Human cytomegalovirus antigens (pp65, IE-1, gB) (HCMV antigens)

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) antigens, specifically the 65 kDa phosphoprotein (pp65), immediate-early protein 1 (IE-1), and glycoprotein B (gB), are expressed in a high percentage of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumors but are absent in normal brain tissue (Cobbs et al., 2002, Cancer Res). This unique expression pattern allows these viral proteins to serve as highly specific targets for immunotherapy. pp65 (UL83) is the most abundant tegument protein and a dominant target for CD8+ T-cell responses, while IE-1 (UL123) is essential for viral gene expression and gB (UL55) mediates viral entry (Reap et al., 2007, Clin Cancer Res). In the GBM microenvironment, these antigens are implicated in promoting cell survival, proliferation, and immune evasion (Lawler, 2011, Cancer Res). Therapeutic approaches include dendritic cell vaccines, such as those utilizing pp65-mRNA, and adoptive T-cell therapies that prime the immune system to recognize and eliminate CMV-positive tumor cells (Mitchell et al., 2015, Nature). Clinical trials have demonstrated that targeting these antigens can significantly improve survival outcomes in patients with GBM (Schuessler et al., 2014, Cancer Res).

Other names

HCMV pp65HCMV IE-1HCMV gBUL83UL123UL55Cytomegalovirus-associated antigensCMV antigens expressed in glioblastoma

Induction of antigen-specific cellular immune responses, primarily mediated by CD8+ and CD4+ T cells, to recognize and lyse tumor cells expressing viral antigens.