Human papillomavirus type 16 E7 peptide–Major Histocompatibility Complex (HPV16 E7-MHC)

The Human papillomavirus type 16 E7 peptide–Major Histocompatibility Complex (HPV16 E7-MHC) is a specific molecular target found on the surface of HPV16-positive tumor cells (JCI Insight, 2018). HPV16 is the primary cause of several cancers, including cervical and oropharyngeal carcinomas, where the E7 oncoprotein is constitutively expressed to drive malignant transformation by inactivating the retinoblastoma (Rb) tumor suppressor (PLoS ONE, 2022; NIH, 2017). Fragments of the E7 protein, such as the immunodominant p11-19 peptide, are processed and presented by MHC Class I molecules (typically HLA-A*02:01) for recognition by CD8+ T cells (PLoS ONE, 2022; BMJ, 2022). Because E7 is a viral antigen absent from healthy human tissues, the E7-MHC complex represents an ideal target for precision immunotherapies (JCI Insight, 2018). Current therapeutic approaches include T-cell receptor-engineered T cells (TCR-T), TCR-mimic (TCRm) antibodies, and bispecific T-cell engagers like CUE-101, which are designed to selectively activate or redirect T cells to destroy HPV-infected malignant cells (NCI, 2022; NCI Drug Dictionary). Clinical trials have demonstrated that targeting this complex can induce robust tumor regression in patients with metastatic HPV-associated cancers, highlighting its potential as a high-value target in oncology (JCI Insight, 2018; NCI, 2022).

Other names

HPV16 E7-HLA-A*02:01 complexHPV16 E7 antigen-MHC complexE7 peptide-MHCHPV16 E7 p11-19/HLA-A*02:01

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