Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-derived epitope (HER2 epitope) (HER2 epitope)

A HER2/neu-derived epitope is a specific peptide fragment derived from the Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) protein, which is a member of the ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases (UniProt P04626). These epitopes are typically 9 to 15 amino acids in length and are presented on the surface of cancer cells by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules (Peoples et al., 2005, Journal of Clinical Oncology). In oncology, these peptides serve as critical targets for immunotherapy, particularly in the development of peptide-based cancer vaccines designed to stimulate a patient's own T cells. For instance, the E75 epitope (nelipepimut-S) is a 9-amino acid peptide from the HER2 extracellular domain that binds to HLA-A2 and HLA-A3 molecules to activate cytotoxic T lymphocytes (Mittendorf et al., 2014, Cancer). By training the immune system to recognize these specific sequences, clinicians aim to target and destroy HER2-overexpressing tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue. These therapies are primarily investigated for preventing recurrence in breast cancer patients with low-to-intermediate HER2 expression who do not qualify for standard monoclonal antibody therapy (Sears et al., 2011, Journal of Clinical Oncology). The clinical efficacy of these epitopes is highly dependent on the patient's human leukocyte antigen (HLA) profile, which determines the ability of the immune system to present the peptide (Gall et al., 2013, Expert Review of Vaccines).

Other names

HER2 peptideERBB2-derived epitopeNeu-derived epitopeE75 peptideGP2 peptideAE37 peptideNelipepimut-S

Induction of adaptive immune responses through the presentation of HER2-derived peptide fragments on MHC molecules to activate specific CD8+ cytotoxic or CD4+ helper T-cell populations.