Human papillomavirus type 18 E7 peptide-HLA class I complex (HPV-18 E7/MHC-I)

The HPV-18 E7 peptide-MHC class I complex is a critical target for immunotherapy in cancers caused by high-risk Human Papillomavirus type 18. The E7 protein is a viral oncoprotein that drives oncogenesis by binding and degrading the retinoblastoma protein (pRb), which leads to uncontrolled cell cycle progression. In infected tumor cells, the E7 protein is intracellularly processed into short peptide epitopes that are presented on the cell surface by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I molecules, specifically Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) in humans. These complexes are recognized by the T-cell receptors (TCRs) of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, marking the tumor cells for destruction. Because HPV-18 E7 is a non-self viral protein exclusively expressed in infected and transformed cells, it serves as a highly specific tumor-associated antigen. Therapeutic strategies targeting this complex include TCR-engineered T-cell (TCR-T) therapies, which utilize synthetic receptors to enhance T-cell recognition, and therapeutic vaccines designed to elicit a robust endogenous immune response against E7-presenting cells. This target is particularly relevant for patients with advanced or metastatic cervical and oropharyngeal cancers where HPV-18 is a primary driver.

Other names

HPV18 E7 oncoprotein epitopesHPV-18 E7-MHC complexHPV-18 E7 peptide-MHC class IHPV-18 E7-HLA-A*02:01 complexHuman papillomavirus 18 E7 antigen

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