Human papillomavirus type 16 E6 protein-derived peptide epitope (HPV16 E6 epitope)

Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) E6-derived peptide epitopes are specific amino acid sequences from the E6 oncoprotein that serve as targets for the immune system (UniProt: P03126). The E6 protein is a primary driver of HPV-mediated malignancy, functioning by inducing the degradation of the p53 tumor suppressor, which prevents apoptosis and promotes genomic instability (PubMed: 25964244). These peptide fragments are processed intracellularly and presented on the cell surface by Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) molecules, allowing them to be recognized by T-cell receptors (TCRs). Because E6 is constitutively expressed in HPV-transformed cells but absent in healthy tissues, these epitopes are ideal targets for precision immunotherapies (PubMed: 32103181). Current therapeutic approaches include synthetic long peptide vaccines like ISA101, DNA vaccines like VGX-3100, and TCR-engineered T-cell therapies like KITE-439, which are designed to induce a robust cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response against HPV16-positive tumors such as cervical and oropharyngeal cancers (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02858310).

Other names

HPV16 E6 peptideHPV16 E6 antigenHPV16 E6 T-cell epitopeHuman papillomavirus 16 E6 oncoprotein fragmentE6 (29-38) epitopeE6 (52-61) epitope

Presentation of the peptide epitope by MHC class I or II molecules (most commonly HLA-A*02:01) to T-cell receptors (TCRs), leading to the activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) or helper T cells that specifically target and eliminate HPV16-infected or transformed cells (PubMed: 32103181).