Major histocompatibility complex class II-Wilms' tumor 1 peptide complex (MHC II-WT1 complex)

The Major histocompatibility complex class II-Wilms' tumor 1 (MHC II-WT1) peptide complex is a specialized immunological target formed when antigen-presenting cells, primarily dendritic cells, process the Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) protein and present its derived helper peptides to the immune system. WT1 is a zinc-finger transcription factor that is highly overexpressed in a variety of hematological malignancies and solid tumors, while its expression in healthy adult tissues is limited to specific sites like the kidney and mesothelium, making it an ideal target for cancer immunotherapy [1][2]. The presentation of these peptides via MHC class II molecules is essential for the activation of CD4+ T helper cells, which provide the necessary signals for the robust expansion and long-term memory formation of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes [3]. Therapeutic strategies such as the multi-peptide vaccine Galinpepimut-S (GPS) are designed to induce an immune response against this complex to achieve a durable anti-tumor effect [4]. By targeting the MHC II-WT1 complex, clinicians aim to overcome the immune evasion mechanisms of cancer cells and promote a comprehensive, multi-pronged immune attack [5]. Sources: [1] Sugiyama H. WT1 (Wilms' tumor gene 1) peptide immunotherapy for cancer. Cancer Sci. 2010. [2] National Cancer Institute. NCI Pilot Program for the Prioritization of Cancer Antigens. 2009. [3] Oka Y, et al. Induction of WT1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes by WT1 peptide vaccine and the clinical responses in cancer patients. Crit Rev Immunol. 2009. [4] Maslak PG, et al. Vaccination with synthetic analog peptides derived from WT1 oncoprotein in patients with hematologic malignancies. Blood. 2010. [5] SELLAS Life Sciences. Galinpepimut-S (GPS) Product Overview. 2023.

Other names

HLA class II-WT1 peptide complexWT1-MHC II complexWT1 helper peptide-MHC II complexMHC II-WT1 helper peptide complexWilms' tumor 1-derived helper peptide presented by MHC class II

Activation of CD4+ T helper cells through TCR recognition of the MHC II-WT1 peptide complex on dendritic cells, leading to the secretion of Th1 cytokines and the enhancement of CD8+ cytotoxic T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity.