Melanoma-associated antigen A4 or A8 peptide–HLA class I complex (MAGEA4/MAGEA8 peptide–HLA complex)

The Melanoma-associated antigen A4 (MAGEA4) or A8 (MAGEA8) peptide–HLA complex is a cell-surface molecular complex consisting of a tumor-derived peptide (commonly MAGEA4 230–239 or highly homologous MAGEA8 peptides) bound to the human leukocyte antigen HLA-A2 (major histocompatibility complex class I). These complexes are recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes and engineered T-cell receptors or CAR-T cells, enabling targeted immunotherapy against a range of solid tumors expressing MAGEA antigens. MAGEA4 and MAGEA8 are cancer-testis antigens, typically expressed in various tumors but not in most normal tissues, making their peptide–HLA complexes attractive and actionable immune targets for cancer therapies. Subtle variations in the peptide sequence or anchor residues may influence TCR recognition and immunogenicity, impacting therapeutic efficacy and specificity.

Other names

MAGE A4/HLA-A2 peptide complexMAGE A8/HLA-A2 peptide complexMAGEA4–pMHC (Melanoma-associated antigen A4 peptide–Major Histocompatibility Complex)MAGEA8–pMHC

Targeted activation of T cell–mediated cytotoxicity via CAR-T or TCR therapies by recognizing the MAGEA4 or MAGEA8 peptide presented by HLA-A2 on tumor cells