Lymphocyte antigen 6 complex locus K-derived peptide epitopes presented by HLA-A*2402 (LY6K-HLA-A*2402)

Lymphocyte antigen 6 complex locus K (LY6K) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein and a member of the cancer-testis antigen (CTA) family. It is highly overexpressed in various malignancies, such as esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and gastric cancer, while its normal expression is restricted to the immune-privileged testis. Specific peptide fragments derived from LY6K, most notably the 10-mer epitope LY6K-177 (RYCNLEGPPI), are processed and presented on the cell surface by the HLA-A*2402 major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule. This peptide-MHC complex serves as a specific target for the immune system, allowing cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) to recognize and eliminate tumor cells. Therapeutic interventions, such as peptide vaccines and TCR-based therapies, aim to exploit this complex to induce a robust, tumor-specific immune response. Clinical trials have demonstrated that targeting these epitopes is safe and can lead to improved survival outcomes in HLA-A*2402-positive patients with LY6K-expressing tumors.

Other names

LY6K-177 peptideLY6K-177-186 epitopeRYCNLEGPPI-HLA-A*2402 complexLY6K-A24 complexLY6K-derived CTL epitopes

Induction of antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) that recognize the LY6K peptide-HLA-A*2402 complex on tumor cells, leading to targeted cell lysis.