Human leukocyte antigen class II-neoepitope peptide complex (HLA-II-neoepitope complex)

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II molecules are heterodimeric cell surface glycoproteins that play a pivotal role in the adaptive immune system by presenting processed antigenic peptides to CD4+ T helper cells (Hilf et al., 2019). In the APVAC2 (Actively Personalized VACcine 2) therapeutic strategy, these molecules present patient-specific neoepitopes—peptides derived from non-synonymous mutations unique to an individual's tumor (NCT02149225). This HLA-peptide complex serves as a highly specific target for the immune system, designed to bypass central tolerance and elicit a robust anti-tumor T-cell response (Sahin & Türeci, 2018). The APVAC2 approach was notably utilized in the GAPVAC-101 clinical trial for glioblastoma, where vaccines were tailored based on the patient's mutanome and HLA profile to induce long-lasting immunological memory (Hilf et al., 2019). By targeting these unique complexes, the therapy aims to achieve precise tumor cell destruction while minimizing damage to healthy tissues.

Other names

MHC class II-neoantigen complexAPVAC2-HLA-II complexPatient-specific neoepitope-HLA-II complexHLA-II-APVAC2 complex

Induction of tumor-specific CD4+ T-cell responses through the presentation of personalized neoepitopes on HLA class II molecules (Hilf et al., 2019).