Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) peptide-MHC class II complex (hTERT-MHC II complex)

Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is the catalytic subunit of the telomerase enzyme, which maintains telomere length and is a hallmark of cellular immortality in cancer [Shay and Wright, 2011]. While hTERT expression is minimal in most normal somatic cells, it is upregulated in approximately 85-90% of all human cancers, serving as a nearly universal tumor-associated antigen [Kim et al., 1994]. The presentation of hTERT-derived peptide epitopes on MHC class II molecules is essential for the activation of CD4+ T-cell receptors, which orchestrate the adaptive immune response against tumors [Tay et al., 2021]. These CD4+ T-helper cells produce critical Th1 cytokines, such as interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), which enhance the activity of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes and help overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment [Inderberg et al., 2022]. Therapeutic candidates like the UV1 vaccine and GV1001 utilize specific hTERT peptides to induce these MHC class II-restricted responses, aiming to provide broad clinical benefit across various HLA types and cancer stages [Brunsvig et al., 2011; Ellingsen et al., 2020].

Other names

hTERT CD4+ T-cell epitopesTelomerase MHC class II peptideshTERT-derived MHC-II restricted antigenshTERT-MHC-II complex

Active immunotherapy via peptide vaccination to induce MHC class II-restricted CD4+ T-cell responses that provide help for cytotoxic T-cell activation and exert direct anti-tumor effects.