Melanoma antigen recognized by T cells 1 and Melanocyte protein PMEL (MART-1/gp100)

MART-1 (Melanoma Antigen Recognized by T cells 1) and gp100 (Melanocyte protein PMEL) are lineage-specific differentiation antigens primarily expressed in melanocytes and the majority of melanoma cells (Source: UniProt Q16655, P40967). These proteins play critical roles in melanosome biogenesis, with MART-1 facilitating the trafficking and stability of gp100 within the melanosome matrix (Source: PubMed 15143066). In clinical oncology, they are utilized as prominent targets for immunotherapy because their expression is largely restricted to the melanocytic lineage, providing a therapeutic window for treating melanoma (Source: NIH/NCI). Drugs like tebentafusp (Kimmtrak) utilize a bispecific TCR-anti-CD3 format to redirect T cells to gp100-expressing cells in HLA-A*02:01-positive patients (Source: FDA). However, because these antigens are also present in healthy melanocytes, treatment often results in on-target, off-tumor toxicities such as vitiligo, rash, and ocular inflammation (Source: PubMed 22948042).

Other names

MLANAMelan-APMELgp100PMEL17Silver locus proteinME20

T-cell redirection and TCR-mediated cytotoxicity targeting HLA-presented peptides derived from MART-1 and gp100.