Melanoma-associated antigen C1 (MAGE-C1) peptide-MHC complex (MAGE-C1/MHC)

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 immune-privileged testis and placenta and its frequent overexpression in various malignancies, particularly multiple myeloma and melanoma (Source: UniProt, NIH). As an intracellular protein, MAGE-C1 is processed into short peptides that are presented on the cell surface by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I molecules, such as HLA-A*02:01, making it an ideal target for T-cell-based immunotherapies (Source: PubMed, 21140167). In cancer cells, MAGE-C1 functions as an oncogenic driver by promoting cell survival, facilitating cell cycle progression, and inhibiting apoptosis through the suppression of p53 activity via its interaction with the co-repressor KAP-1 (Source: PubMed, 17942912). Therapeutic approaches targeting the MAGE-C1 peptide-MHC complex include T-cell receptor-engineered T-cell (TCR-T) therapies and multi-antigen vaccines, such as the mRNA-based BNT116, which are designed to stimulate a robust, tumor-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response (Source: MDPI, 2.1.4; NIH, 1.3.1). Given its high prevalence in advanced multiple myeloma (up to 80%) and its absence in essential somatic tissues, MAGE-C1 is a highly attractive target for precision oncology, though the development of these therapies requires careful screening to prevent off-target cross-reactivity with similar self-peptides (Source: Blood, 106:167-174; NIH, 1.3.1).

Other names

CT7/MHCCancer/testis antigen 7.1/MHCMAGE-C1-derived peptides presented on HLAMelanoma-associated antigen C1 (MAGE-C1) peptide-HLA complexCT7-derived peptides presented on MHC

T-cell receptor (TCR) mediated recognition of the MAGE-C1 peptide-MHC complex on the surface of tumor cells, which triggers T-cell activation, cytokine release, and direct cytotoxic killing of the cancer cell.