Melanoma-associated antigen C1 (MAGE-C1) peptide-Major Histocompatibility Complex (CT7-pMHC)

Melanoma-associated antigen C1 (MAGE-C1), also known as CT7, is a prominent member of the cancer-testis antigen (CTA) family, characterized by its restricted expression in the testis and high prevalence in various malignancies, most notably multiple myeloma (Jungbluth et al., 2002, Int. J. Cancer). The CT7 peptide–MHC complex is formed when intracellular CT7 proteins are processed by the proteasome into short peptides and presented on the cell surface by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules, such as HLA-A2 or HLA-Cw7 (Atanackovic et al., 2007, Blood). This complex acts as a specific molecular signature that allows the immune system, specifically T-cell receptors (TCRs), to distinguish malignant cells from healthy somatic tissue. In therapeutic contexts, this complex is a primary target for TCR-engineered T-cell (TCR-T) therapies and TCR-mimic antibodies designed to induce potent anti-tumor immune responses (Gnjatic et al., 2006, Adv. Cancer Res.). Because the testis is an immune-privileged site lacking MHC Class I expression, the CT7-pMHC complex is considered an ideal target for precision oncology with a low risk of systemic autoimmune side effects.

Other names

CT7-HLA complexMAGE-C1-pMHCCancer/testis antigen 7 peptide-MHCMAGE-C1 peptide-HLA complexCT7 peptide-MHC

T-cell receptor (TCR) binding to the peptide-MHC complex triggers T-cell activation, leading to the release of perforins and granzymes that induce apoptosis in the target tumor cell.