Major histocompatibility complex class I molecule HLA-A*02 presenting alpha-fetoprotein peptide complex (HLA-A*02:01–AFP peptide complex)

The **major histocompatibility complex class I molecule HLA-A*02 presenting alpha-fetoprotein peptide complex** is a cell-surface protein complex that plays a key role in immune surveillance, particularly in cancer immunology. HLA-A*02:01 is a common allele of the class I human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system; it binds short peptides derived from intracellular proteins and presents them on the cell surface for recognition by CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes[5][7]. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and other AFP-expressing tumors, specific AFP-derived peptides (such as FMN, AFP158-166, AFP2–11) are processed and loaded onto HLA-A*02:01 molecules, forming the HLA-A*02–AFP complex. This complex can be specifically recognized by T cells, enabling targeted killing of cancerous cells that overexpress AFP, while sparing normal cells[2][4][6]. Innovative immunotherapies, including TCR-engineered T cells and peptide vaccines, leverage this selectivity to mount an antitumor immune response, making the HLA-A*02–AFP peptide complex an important therapeutic target in cancer, especially HCC[2][4][6]. Notable safety concerns include the risk of autoimmunity and the requirement for stringent patient selection based on HLA type and AFP expression.

Other names

HLA-A*02:01–AFP complexHLA-A2–AFP peptide complexHLA-A2–alpha-fetoprotein peptide complexMHC class I HLA-A*02–AFP peptide complex

Presentation of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-derived peptide by HLA-A*02:01 on tumor cells enables recognition and targeted killing by AFP-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes[2][4][6] Adoptive TCR therapy: engineered T cells recognize and kill cells presenting the AFP peptide in the HLA-A*02 context[2][4][6] Induction of immune response against HCC via peptide vaccination or DC-based immunotherapy[4][6]