Major histocompatibility complex class I-Human papillomavirus type 16 E7 peptide-T-cell receptor complex (pMHC-TCR (HPV16 E7))

The target is a tripartite molecular complex consisting of a Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I molecule (most commonly HLA-A*02:01), a processed peptide epitope from the Human Papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) E7 oncoprotein, and a specific T-cell receptor (TCR) on CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes. HPV16 E7 is a viral oncoprotein essential for the maintenance of the malignant phenotype in HPV-driven cancers, such as cervical, anal, and head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Because E7 is a foreign viral protein not expressed in healthy tissues, the peptide-MHC (pMHC) complex serves as a highly specific neoantigen for therapeutic intervention. Drugs targeting this complex include TCR-engineered T cells (TCR-T), which are modified to express high-avidity TCRs that recognize the pMHC on tumor cells, and TCR-mimic antibodies or fusion proteins like CUE-101 that selectively activate E7-specific T cells. Clinical efficacy is often dependent on the stable presentation of the E7 epitope and the presence of the appropriate HLA allele in the patient population.

Other names

HLA-A*02:01-HPV16 E7 complexHPV16 E7-specific TCR targetE7 11-19/HLA-A*02:01 complexHPV16 E7 pMHC-TCR complexHPV16 E7-specific T-cell receptor

Adoptive T-cell transfer of TCR-engineered T cells, T-cell engagement via TCR-mimic antibodies, or selective T-cell activation using pMHC-cytokine fusion proteins.