Human papillomavirus type 18 E7 protein (11-19) peptide presented by Human leukocyte antigen A*02:01 (HPV-18 E7 (11-19)/HLA-A*02:01)

The HPV-18 E7 11-19 peptide presented by HLA-A*02:01 is a specific peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) that serves as a critical target for immunotherapeutic strategies against HPV-18-associated malignancies [UniProt P06788]. Human papillomavirus type 18 (HPV-18) is a high-risk viral genotype primarily responsible for cervical cancer and other anogenital or oropharyngeal tumors [PubMed 26014293]. The E7 protein is a constitutively expressed viral oncoprotein that drives malignant transformation by inactivating the retinoblastoma protein (pRb), thereby disrupting cell cycle control [PubMed 15150594]. The 11-19 amino acid fragment of the E7 protein (sequence IVLHLEPQN) is processed by the proteasome and presented on the cell surface by the HLA-A*02:01 molecule, providing a unique signature for recognition by the cellular immune system [PubMed 28811033]. Therapeutic approaches targeting this complex, such as T-cell receptor (TCR) engineered T-cells (TCR-T), aim to exploit this specificity to selectively eliminate malignant cells while sparing healthy tissue [PubMed 30104341]. This target is particularly attractive for precision oncology because its expression is restricted to virally transformed cells, offering a high degree of tumor specificity.

Other names

HPV-18 E7 11-19/HLA-A2IVLHLEPQN/HLA-A*02:01 complexHLA-A*02:01-restricted HPV-18 E7 epitopeHPV18 E7(11-19) antigen

The target complex is recognized by engineered T-cell receptors (TCRs) or TCR-like molecules, which bind to the peptide-MHC complex on the surface of tumor cells, leading to T-cell activation, secretion of cytotoxic granules such as perforin and granzymes, and subsequent apoptosis of the HPV-18-positive cancer cell [PubMed 28811033].