Melanoma antigen recognized by T cells 1 (MART-1) peptide epitope presented by Human leukocyte antigen A*0201 (HLA-A*0201) (MART-1/HLA-A*0201)

Melanoma antigen recognized by T cells 1 (MART-1), also known as Melan-A, is a lineage-specific differentiation antigen expressed in melanocytes and the majority of melanoma cells. The MART-1 peptide epitope, specifically the decamer EAAGIGILTV or the nonamer AAGIGILTV, is processed and presented on the cell surface by the Human leukocyte antigen A*0201 (HLA-A*0201) major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule. This peptide-MHC complex serves as a critical target for the cellular immune system, particularly CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). In therapeutic contexts, this complex is targeted by cancer vaccines, adoptive T-cell therapies (such as TCR-engineered T cells), and TCR-like antibodies to induce a specific anti-tumor immune response. While highly effective in targeting melanoma, therapies directed at this epitope can lead to "on-target, off-tumor" toxicities affecting normal melanocytes in the skin, eyes, and inner ear. These toxicities manifest as vitiligo, uveitis, and hearing loss, which are significant clinical challenges. Despite these concerns, the MART-1/HLA-A*0201 complex remains one of the most extensively studied and utilized targets in the development of precision immunotherapies for melanoma.

Other names

Melan-A peptide/HLA-A*0201 complexMART-1(26-35)/HLA-A*0201MART-1(27-35)/HLA-A*0201EAAGIGILTV/HLA-A*0201ELAGIGILTV/HLA-A*0201AAGIGILTV/HLA-A*0201Melan-A/HLA-A*0201

Induction of T-cell mediated cytotoxicity against cells presenting the MART-1 epitope in the context of HLA-A*0201.