Human leukocyte antigen A*24:02-presented Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 1-derived peptide (HLA-A*24:02/EBNA1)

The Human leukocyte antigen A*24:02-presented Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1)-derived peptide is a specific peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) that serves as a critical target for immunotherapy against EBV-associated malignancies (PMID: 15141007). EBNA1 is a DNA-binding protein required for the replication and persistence of the EBV episome and is uniquely expressed in all EBV-related latency patterns (UniProt: P03211). The HLA-A*24:02 allele is particularly prevalent in East Asian populations, where EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma is endemic (Allele Frequency Net Database). Therapeutic strategies targeting this complex include the development of T-cell receptor (TCR)-engineered T cells and peptide-based vaccines designed to elicit a robust CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response (PMID: 10438931). By specifically recognizing this pMHC, the immune system can selectively eliminate EBV-infected cells while sparing healthy tissue. However, challenges include potential cross-reactivity with similar human peptides and the immune-evasive nature of EBV-infected cells. Monitoring HLA-A*24:02 status and EBV viral load is essential for patient selection and assessing treatment efficacy. This target represents a precision medicine approach for treating EBV-driven cancers in specific genetic populations.

Other names

HLA-A*24:02/EBNA1(407-417) complexEBNA1 peptide-HLA-A*24:02Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 1 peptide presented by HLA-A*24:02A24/EBNA1

Targeting of the peptide-MHC complex by engineered or endogenous T-cell receptors to induce cytotoxic T-lymphocyte mediated lysis of EBV-positive cells.