Human papillomavirus type 16 E7 protein (HPV-16 E7) (HPV-16 E7)

Human papillomavirus type 16 E7 protein (HPV-16 E7) is a primary viral oncoprotein essential for the development and maintenance of malignancies caused by high-risk HPV-16 infection [1]. Its primary biological function is the disruption of the host cell cycle, achieved by binding to and promoting the ubiquitin-mediated degradation of the retinoblastoma protein (pRb) [2]. This degradation releases E2F transcription factors, which drive the cell into the S-phase, leading to uncontrolled proliferation and genomic instability [3]. E7 also interacts with other cellular proteins to inhibit apoptosis and evade the host immune response [4]. Because E7 is constitutively expressed in HPV-transformed cells and is absent in normal tissues, it is a prime target for therapeutic vaccines and adoptive T-cell therapies [5]. Clinical strategies include DNA vaccines (e.g., VGX-3100), peptide vaccines (e.g., ISA101), and TCR-engineered T cells (e.g., KITE-439) that target E7-derived peptides presented on HLA molecules [6].

Other names

HPV16 E7Protein E7E7 oncoproteinHuman papillomavirus type 16 protein E7

Induction of antigen-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T-cell responses against E7-expressing cells; delivery of E7 antigens via DNA, peptide, or viral vectors to stimulate the immune system; use of TCR-engineered T cells to recognize E7 peptides presented by HLA-A*02:01.