Major histocompatibility complex class II HLA-DP4 presenting NY-ESO-1 (157-170) peptide (HLA-DP4/NY-ESO-1(157-170))

The Major histocompatibility complex class II HLA-DP4 presenting NY-ESO-1 (157-170) peptide is a specific molecular complex formed by the presentation of a fragment of the cancer-testis antigen NY-ESO-1 (residues 157-170) by the HLA-DP4 molecule (specifically HLA-DPA1*01:03/DPB1*04:01) (Zeng et al., 2001). This complex is a critical target in cancer immunotherapy because NY-ESO-1 is highly expressed in various malignancies, such as melanoma and synovial sarcoma, while being absent in normal adult tissues except for the testis (Chen et al., 1997). HLA-DP4 is one of the most common MHC class II alleles in the human population, present in approximately 70% of Caucasians, making this complex a broadly applicable target for T-cell receptor (TCR) based therapies (Zeng et al., 2001). Recognition of this complex by CD4+ T cells can lead to robust anti-tumor immune responses, including the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IFN-gamma and direct cytotoxic activity against MHC class II-positive tumor cells (Zhao et al., 2006). Therapeutic strategies targeting this complex primarily involve the engineering of patient T cells to express high-affinity TCRs specific for the NY-ESO-1:157-170/HLA-DP4 interaction, which have been evaluated in clinical trials for patients with advanced cancers (NCT01967823).

Other names

HLA-DPB1*04:01/DPA1*01:03 presenting NY-ESO-1 157-170NY-ESO-1:157-170/HLA-DP4 complexCTAG1B peptide 157-170 presented by HLA-DP4NY-ESO-1 157-170/HLA-DP4

T-cell receptor (TCR) recognition of the peptide-MHC complex leads to T-cell activation, cytokine production, and targeted destruction of tumor cells.