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

The HPV-18 E7 11-19 epitope presented by HLA-A*02:01 is a specific peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) that serves as a target for adoptive T-cell therapies in patients with HPV-18-associated malignancies. HPV-18 is a high-risk human papillomavirus type that is a primary causative agent of cervical cancer and other anogenital and oropharyngeal carcinomas (PubMed: 30232639). The E7 protein is a viral oncoprotein that drives malignant transformation by inactivating the retinoblastoma protein (pRb), thereby promoting cell cycle progression and genomic instability (PubMed: 10482237). The 11-19 amino acid sequence (IVLHLEPQN) of the E7 protein is processed intracellularly and presented on the cell surface by the HLA-A*02:01 molecule, allowing it to be recognized by the cellular immune system (PMID: 9047241). Therapeutic agents like KITE-037 utilize engineered T-cell receptors (TCRs) to specifically bind this pMHC complex, triggering a targeted cytotoxic response against tumor cells (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04693637). This target is highly specific to virally infected cells, although clinical development requires careful screening for HLA-A*02:01 status and monitoring for potential immune-related adverse events.

Other names

HPV-18 E7 11-19IVLHLEPQN peptideHLA-A*02:01/HPV-18 E7(11-19) complexHPV-18 E7(11-19) epitope

T-cell receptor (TCR) mediated recognition of the peptide-MHC complex leading to T-cell activation and lysis of HPV-18 expressing cells.