Human leukocyte antigen A*02:01 presenting Human papillomavirus type 16 E6 29-38 peptide (HLA-A*02:01/E6(29-38))

The HLA-A*02:01 presenting HPV-16 E6 29-38 peptide is a specific peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) found on the surface of cells infected with Human Papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16), particularly malignant tumor cells. The E6 protein is a primary oncoprotein of HPV-16 that facilitates oncogenesis by promoting the degradation of the p53 tumor suppressor protein. The specific decamer peptide TIHDIILECV (residues 29-38) is processed intracellularly and loaded onto the HLA-A*02:01 molecule for presentation to the immune system. This complex serves as a highly specific neoantigen-like target for immunotherapy because the E6 protein is of viral origin and is not expressed in healthy human tissues. Therapeutic strategies targeting this complex include T-cell receptor (TCR) engineered T-cell therapies and TCR-mimic antibodies, which aim to redirect the immune system to selectively eliminate HPV-16+ cancer cells while sparing normal cells. Clinical development in this area focuses on HPV-associated malignancies such as cervical and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas.

Other names

HPV-16 E6 29-38 peptide-HLA-A*02:01 complexE6 29-38/HLA-A2TIHDIILECV-HLA-A*02:01HLA-A*02:01-HPV-16 E6 (29-38) complex

T-cell receptor (TCR) mediated recognition of the peptide-MHC complex leading to T-cell activation and targeted lysis of HPV-16 positive tumor cells.