Human leukocyte antigen A*02:01 presenting up-regulated in lung cancer 10 (URLC10) epitope (HLA-A*02:01/URLC10)

The HLA-A*02:01 presenting URLC10 epitope is a specific peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) that serves as a critical target for cancer immunotherapy. URLC10, also known as up-regulated in lung cancer 10 (or LY6K), is a cancer-testis antigen frequently overexpressed in various malignancies, including non-small cell lung cancer and esophageal cancer, while remaining largely absent in normal adult tissues (PubMed: 15150593). The HLA-A*02:01 allele binds specific URLC10-derived peptides, such as the URLC10-177 epitope (sequence: SYWGVIGAV), and displays them on the cell surface for recognition by the T-cell receptors (TCRs) of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (PubMed: 21505054). This interaction triggers a targeted immune response aimed at destroying the malignant cells. Therapeutic strategies targeting this complex include peptide-based vaccines designed to prime the endogenous immune system and adoptive cell therapies using TCR-engineered T cells (PubMed: 24333720). Because of its high tumor specificity and restricted expression in normal tissues, this pMHC complex is considered a promising candidate for precision oncology.

Other names

HLA-A*02:01-restricted URLC10 peptide complexURLC10-177/HLA-A*02:01LY6K-derived peptide-MHC complexHLA-A*02:01 presenting SYWGVIGAV

Induction of peptide-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) that recognize and lyse tumor cells presenting the URLC10 epitope via the HLA-A*02:01 molecule (PubMed: 21505054).