Human leukocyte antigen A*02:01 (HLA-A*02:01)

Human leukocyte antigen A*02:01 (HLA-A*02:01) is a highly prevalent allele of the MHC class I heavy chain, which forms a heterodimer with beta-2 microglobulin to present endogenous peptides on the cell surface (Wikipedia). This molecule is essential for the surveillance of intracellular pathogens and malignant cells by CD8+ cytotoxic T cells (NCI). In modern immunotherapy, HLA-A*02:01 serves as a foundational target for TCR-based therapies, including bispecific T-cell engagers like tebentafusp and TCR-engineered T-cell therapies like afamitresgene autoleucel (Drug Dev Letter; Pharmacy Times). These treatments rely on the specific recognition of tumor-derived peptides, such as those from gp100 or MAGE-A4, presented within the HLA-A*02:01 binding groove (NIH). The allele's high frequency in certain populations makes it a primary focus for drug development, although its use is limited to patients carrying this specific genotype (Drug Dev Letter). Additionally, HLA-A*02:01 is implicated in the pathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases and the immune response to viral infections (NIH).

Other names

HLA-A2HLA-A*0201MHC class I antigen HLA-A*02:01HLA-A*02HLA-A02Human leukocyte antigen A*02:01

HLA-A*02:01 presents intracellular peptides to CD8+ T cells. Therapeutic agents like tebentafusp (a bispecific TCR-anti-CD3 fusion) or TCR-engineered T cells (TCR-T) bind to specific peptide-HLA-A*02:01 complexes on the surface of target cells, triggering T-cell activation and subsequent lysis of the target cell (Pharmacy Times; Drug Dev Letter).