Melanoma-associated antigen C2 (MAGEC2) (MAGEC2)

Melanoma-associated antigen C2 (MAGEC2) is a member of the Type I MAGE family and is classified as a cancer-testis antigen (CTA). Its expression is typically restricted to the immune-privileged germ cells of the testis but is aberrantly re-expressed in a variety of malignancies, including melanoma and hepatocellular carcinoma (Ma et al., 2004). MAGEC2 functions as an oncogene by interacting with the E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM28 to promote the degradation of the tumor suppressor p53, thereby facilitating tumor cell survival and proliferation (Liu et al., 2022). In the context of immunotherapy, specific HLA-A2-restricted epitopes of MAGEC2, such as the ALKDVEERV peptide, serve as critical targets for T-cell receptor (TCR) engineered T-cell therapies and cancer vaccines (Ma et al., 2004). These therapeutic approaches aim to induce a potent cytotoxic immune response against tumor cells that present these MAGEC2-derived peptides on their surface via HLA-A*02:01 molecules (NCT04729543).

Other names

MAGE-C2Cancer/testis antigen 10CT10HCA587Hepatocellular carcinoma-associated antigen 587

T-cell receptor (TCR) mediated recognition of MAGEC2-derived peptides (such as ALKDVEERV or LLFGLALIEV) presented by HLA-A*02:01 on the surface of tumor cells, leading to cytotoxic T-lymphocyte activation and tumor cell lysis.