Melanoma-associated antigen 1 (MAGE-A1) (278-286) presented by HLA-A*02:01 (MAGE-A1/HLA-A*02:01)

The MAGE-A1 278-286 peptide presented by HLA-A*02:01 is a specific tumor-associated antigen complex used as a target for cancer immunotherapy [1.2.1, 1.3.2]. MAGE-A1 (Melanoma-associated antigen 1) is a member of the cancer-testis antigen family, which is typically expressed only in male germ cells but becomes aberrantly expressed in various malignancies, including melanoma, multiple myeloma, and lung cancer [1.2.2, 1.3.2]. The specific nonamer peptide KVLEYVIKV (residues 278-286) is processed intracellularly and presented on the cell surface by the HLA-A*02:01 major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule [1.1.1, 1.1.4]. This peptide-MHC (pMHC) complex is recognized by the T-cell receptors (TCRs) of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, making it a prime target for adoptive cell therapies such as TCR-engineered T cells (TCR-T) [1.2.3, 1.3.1]. Several therapeutic candidates, including IMA202 and TSC-204-A02, are being developed to specifically bind this complex and induce a potent anti-tumor immune response [1.3.3, 1.3.4]. Because MAGE-A1 is not expressed in normal somatic tissues, it offers a favorable safety profile with a low risk of on-target off-tumor toxicity [1.3.3, 1.4.4].

Other names

MAGE-A1 278-286KVLEYVIKVMAGE-A1:HLA-A*02:01 complexMelanoma-associated antigen 1 peptide 278-286MAGE-A1 pMHC

T-cell receptor (TCR) mediated recognition and subsequent cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activation against tumor cells presenting the MAGE-A1 peptide [1.3.2, 1.4.2].