Melanoma-associated antigen 2 (MAGEA2) (MAGEA2)

Melanoma-associated antigen 2 (MAGEA2) is a member of the Type I MAGE family and is classified as a cancer-testis antigen (CTA) [2.1.1, 2.3.2]. Under normal physiological conditions, its expression is restricted to the germ cells of the testis, which lack MHC class I molecules, making it an ideal target for cancer immunotherapy [3.1.2, 3.3.4]. In various malignancies, including melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and bladder cancer, MAGEA2 is aberrantly overexpressed and functions as an oncogene [2.2.2, 2.4.1]. It promotes tumor progression by inhibiting the p53 tumor suppressor pathway through the recruitment of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) and the enhancement of TRIM28-mediated p53 ubiquitination [2.2.3, 3.2.3]. This leads to suppressed apoptosis, increased cell survival, and resistance to chemotherapy [2.2.1, 3.1.2]. Therapeutic strategies targeting MAGEA2 include multi-antigen vaccines like OSE-2101 (Tedopi), which has reached Phase III clinical trials, as well as TCR-engineered T-cell therapies and epigenetic modulators that regulate its expression [3.1.1, 3.2.1, 3.3.1].

Other names

MAGE2MAGEA2ACT1.2Cancer/testis antigen 1.2Melanoma antigen family A 2MAGE-2 antigen

Immunotherapy via T-cell activation against MAGEA2 epitopes; epigenetic modulation of gene expression; inhibition of p53-mediated apoptosis [2.2.1, 3.1.1, 3.3.4].