Human leukocyte antigen A*24:02 presenting Ring finger protein 43-derived peptide (HLA-A*24:02/RNF43)

The HLA-A*24:02 presenting RNF43-derived peptide epitope is a specific peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) found on the surface of cancer cells. Ring finger protein 43 (RNF43) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that negatively regulates the Wnt signaling pathway and is frequently overexpressed or mutated in various gastrointestinal malignancies, including colorectal and pancreatic cancers. In patients carrying the HLA-A*24:02 allele, a specific 9-mer peptide (typically RNF43-721: NSQPVWLCL) is processed and presented to the immune system. This complex serves as a highly specific neoantigen or tumor-associated antigen target for immunotherapy. Current therapeutic approaches include peptide-based vaccines designed to elicit a cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response and the development of TCR-engineered T-cell therapies. Because HLA-A*24:02 is one of the most common HLA alleles in East Asian populations, this target is of particular clinical significance for regional precision oncology.

Other names

HLA-A*24:02-restricted RNF43-721 peptideRNF43-721NSQPVWLCL peptide-MHC complexRNF43-derived epitopeHLA-A24/RNF43 complex

The target acts as a specific molecular signal for T-cell receptors (TCRs). Therapeutic strategies involve using the peptide as a vaccine to prime the immune system or developing TCR-engineered T-cells (TCR-T) that specifically bind this pMHC complex to induce lysis of RNF43-expressing tumor cells.