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

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu)-derived peptide epitopes are short amino acid sequences, such as E75 (KIFGSLAFL) and GP2 (IISAVVGIL), derived from the HER2 proto-oncogene product (UniProt P04626). These epitopes are processed and presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I or II molecules on the surface of tumor cells or antigen-presenting cells (PubMed: 25103457). In oncology, they serve as the basis for therapeutic cancer vaccines designed to stimulate a specific T-cell mediated immune response against HER2-overexpressing malignancies, including breast and ovarian cancers (PubMed: 30655273). By activating cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), these peptide-based therapies aim to provide long-term immunosurveillance and prevent disease recurrence (PubMed: 33314445). Unlike monoclonal antibodies like trastuzumab, which bind the protein's extracellular domain, peptide epitopes allow the immune system to recognize intracellularly processed fragments of the HER2 protein. Clinical trials have particularly explored their use in patients with low-to-intermediate HER2 expression levels to bridge the gap in current treatment paradigms (NIH: NCT01479244).

Other names

HER-2/neu peptideErbB2 peptideE75 peptideGP2 peptideAE37 peptideNelipepimut-S epitopeTumor-associated antigen peptide

Stimulation of the immune system by presenting specific HER2-derived amino acid sequences via MHC molecules to activate CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes or CD4+ helper T cells against HER2-overexpressing tumor cells.