Melanoma antigen recognized by T cells 1 (MART-1) peptide-HLA-A*02:01 complex (MART-1/HLA-A2)

Melanoma antigen recognized by T cells 1 (MART-1), also known as Melan-A, is a protein specifically expressed in the melanocytes of the skin and retina, as well as in most melanoma tumors [1][2]. The therapeutic target is the specific MART-1 peptide (typically the immunodominant decamer AAGIGILTV or the modified ELAGIGILTV) presented on the cell surface by the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-A*02:01 molecule [3]. This peptide-MHC complex is recognized by the T-cell receptors (TCRs) of CD8+ T cells, making it a focal point for TCR-engineered T-cell therapies and cancer vaccines [4]. Because MART-1 is a differentiation antigen also present in healthy melanocytes, targeting this complex can result in on-target, off-tumor toxicities affecting the skin, eyes, and inner ear [5]. Clinical development primarily targets metastatic melanoma in HLA-A2-positive patients, aiming to induce a robust cytotoxic immune response against malignant cells [4][5].

Other names

Melan-A peptide-HLA-A2 complexMART-1(26-35) HLA-A2 complexMART-1(27-35) HLA-A2 complexMLANA peptide-HLA-A2AAGIGILTV-HLA-A2 complexELAGIGILTV-HLA-A2 complex

T-cell receptor (TCR) binding to the peptide-MHC complex leading to cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activation and targeted cell lysis.