Interleukin-13 receptor subunit alpha-2-derived peptide-MHC complex (IL-13Ra2 pMHC)

Interleukin-13 receptor subunit alpha-2 (IL-13Ra2) is a high-affinity receptor for IL-13 that is significantly overexpressed in over 75% of glioblastomas but has minimal expression in normal brain tissue (UniProt P51679; PubMed 15507677). This target specifically refers to peptide epitopes derived from IL-13Ra2, most notably the HLA-A*0201-restricted decapeptide IL-13Ra2(345-353), which are processed and presented on the tumor cell surface via Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Class I molecules (PubMed 18424449). These complexes are recognized by the T-cell receptors (TCRs) of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, making them ideal targets for cancer immunotherapy. Therapeutic interventions utilizing these epitopes include the dendritic cell vaccine ICT-107 and the multi-peptide vaccine IMA950, which aim to stimulate a robust, antigen-specific immune response against glioma cells (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01280552). While highly specific, the effectiveness of targeting these epitopes can be hindered by MHC downregulation or antigen loss, common mechanisms of tumor immune evasion in the central nervous system (PubMed 25135961).

Other names

IL-13Ra2 peptide epitopeIL-13R alpha 2 glioma-associated antigenHLA-A*0201-restricted IL-13Ra2 peptideIL-13Ra2(345-353) epitopeIL13RA2-001

Induction of a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response through the recognition of specific IL-13Ra2 peptide fragments presented by MHC Class I molecules on the surface of tumor cells.