Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 3 (KOC1)-derived peptide presented by HLA class I (KOC1-peptide/HLA-I)

The Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 3 (KOC1)-derived peptide presented by HLA class I is a tumor-associated antigen complex. KOC1, also known as IMP3, is an oncofetal protein that is highly expressed during embryogenesis but is virtually absent in normal adult tissues, with the exception of the testes (Pryor et al., 2008). In many human malignancies, including pancreatic, lung, and esophageal cancers, KOC1 is significantly overexpressed and its presence often correlates with poor prognosis and increased metastatic potential (Suda et al., 2007). This specific expression profile makes the KOC1-peptide/HLA complex a promising target for cancer immunotherapies, such as peptide-based vaccines and T-cell receptor (TCR) engineered T-cell therapies (Kono et al., 2009). These therapeutic strategies aim to stimulate or provide CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes that specifically recognize the KOC1 peptide in the context of HLA class I molecules on the tumor cell surface. Recognition of this complex triggers T-cell activation and the subsequent selective destruction of the cancer cells. Clinical investigations have primarily focused on specific peptides, such as KOC1-272 and KOC1-508, restricted to common HLA alleles like HLA-A*24:02 and HLA-A*02:01 (Suda et al., 2007). The primary therapeutic challenge involves ensuring high specificity to avoid potential cross-reactivity with similar peptides in healthy tissues.

Other names

IMP3-derived peptide presented by HLA class IKOC-derived peptide presented by HLA class IIGF2BP3-derived peptide presented by HLA class IKOC1-HLA complexIMP3-HLA complexKH domain containing protein overexpressed in cancer-derived peptide

Induction of peptide-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) that recognize and lyse tumor cells presenting the KOC1-derived peptide on HLA class I molecules (Suda et al., 2007).