Major histocompatibility complex class I presenting human papillomavirus type 16 E7-derived peptide (MHC-I/HPV-16 E7)

The Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule presenting human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) E7-derived peptide is a critical target for immunotherapy in HPV-driven cancers (Stevanović et al., 2015, PMID: 25824306). HPV-16 is a high-risk virus responsible for the majority of cervical cancers and a significant portion of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, where the E7 oncoprotein is constitutively expressed to maintain the malignant phenotype (Draper et al., 2015, PMID: 26014293). Intracellular processing of the E7 protein generates specific epitopes, most notably the E7 11-20 peptide, which are loaded onto MHC class I molecules, particularly the HLA-A*02:01 allele, for surface presentation (Jin et al., 2018, PMID: 30104547). This peptide-MHC (pMHC) complex serves as a highly specific neoantigen, allowing engineered T-cell receptors (TCRs) and bispecific T-cell engagers to selectively recognize and eliminate tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue (Norberg et al., 2020, PMID: 33024321). Therapeutic strategies targeting this complex include TCR-engineered T-cell (TCR-T) therapies and immune-mobilizing monoclonal TCRs against cancer (ImmTACs). However, clinical challenges include potential off-target toxicity due to cross-reactivity with similar self-peptides and the risk of tumor immune escape through MHC downregulation (Nagarsheth et al., 2021, PMID: 33536611).

Other names

HLA-A*02:01/HPV-16 E7 complexHPV-16 E7 peptide-MHC complexpMHC HPV-16 E7HLA-A2/E7(11-20)

T-cell receptor (TCR) mediated recognition and subsequent T-cell directed cytotoxicity against cells expressing the viral antigen.