Human papillomavirus type 16 E6 epitope presented by HLA-A*2402 (HPV16 E6/HLA-A*2402)

The target is a peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) consisting of a specific epitope from the Human Papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) E6 oncoprotein presented by the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) allele A*24:02. HPV16 is a high-risk viral pathogen and the primary causative agent of cervical cancer, as well as various oropharyngeal and anogenital malignancies (Source: National Cancer Institute). The E6 oncoprotein is essential for viral-induced oncogenesis, primarily through its role in binding and promoting the proteasomal degradation of the p53 tumor suppressor protein, thereby inhibiting apoptosis and promoting uncontrolled cell cycle progression (Source: UniProt). Because E6 is a non-self viral protein constitutively expressed in tumor cells but absent in healthy tissues, it represents an ideal target for precision immunotherapy. Therapeutic interventions targeting the HPV16 E6/HLA-A*24:02 complex primarily involve T-cell receptor (TCR) engineered T-cell therapies, such as SCG601, which are designed to recognize this specific pMHC and initiate a potent cytotoxic immune response against the cancer cells (Source: SCG Cell Therapy). The HLA-A*24:02 restriction is of particular clinical importance in East Asian populations, where this allele is highly prevalent, offering a personalized treatment pathway for patients who do not carry the more commonly targeted HLA-A*02:01 allele (Source: Cancer Science). Challenges in targeting this complex include potential immune evasion through HLA downregulation by the tumor and the risk of cytokine release syndrome associated with potent T-cell activation (Source: Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer).

Other names

HPV16 E6 (66-74) peptide-HLA-A*24:02 complexHLA-A*24:02-restricted HPV16 E6 antigenTIHDIILECV/HLA-A*24:02 complexHPV16 E6-A2402

T-cell receptor (TCR) mediated recognition of the peptide-MHC complex leading to cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activation and tumor cell lysis