Major histocompatibility complex class II presenting New York esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 1 peptide (MHC II-NY-ESO-1) (MHC II-NY-ESO-1)

NY-ESO-1 (New York esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 1) is a well-characterized cancer-testis antigen encoded by the CTAG1B gene, which is highly expressed in various malignancies but restricted to germ cells in normal tissues (PMID: 9009496). The MHC class II presenting NY-ESO-1 peptide complex consists of a specific epitope derived from the NY-ESO-1 protein bound to the cleft of a Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class II molecule, most notably HLA-DP4 (PMID: 10974032). This complex is primarily recognized by CD4+ T cells, which play a crucial role in orchestrating the anti-tumor immune response by providing help to CD8+ T cells and potentially exerting direct cytotoxic effects (PMID: 11160694). Therapeutic strategies targeting this complex include TCR-engineered T cell therapies (TCR-T), such as GSK3845097, and cancer vaccines designed to elicit a robust CD4+ T cell response (NCT04526509). Clinical development has focused on patients with NY-ESO-1 positive tumors who carry specific HLA alleles, such as HLA-DPB1*04:01. The high specificity of NY-ESO-1 for tumor cells makes this complex an attractive target for precision immunotherapy with a potentially favorable safety profile.

Other names

HLA class II-NY-ESO-1 complexNY-ESO-1 peptide-MHC II complexCTAG1B-MHC II complexHLA-DP4-NY-ESO-1 complexNY-ESO-1(161–180)-HLA-DP4 complex

TCR-mediated recognition of the peptide-MHC complex, activation of CD4+ T-helper cells, and induction of anti-tumor immune responses.