Melanoma-associated antigen C2 peptide presented by HLA-B*07:02 (MAGE-C2 peptide–HLA-B*07:02)

Melanoma-associated antigen C2 (MAGE-C2) is a member of the cancer/testis antigen family, encoded by the MAGE-C2 gene and normally restricted to the testis but aberrantly expressed in various tumors including melanoma. The MAGE-C2-derived peptide is presented by the HLA-B*07:02 class I major histocompatibility complex on the surface of tumor cells, where it can be recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes via specific T cell receptors. This peptide–HLA complex serves as a highly tumor-specific immune target, enabling development of TCR-engineered cell therapies and peptide-based cancer vaccines. Its expression is used to select patients for immunotherapy clinical trials targeting cancer/testis antigens. Safety concerns center around specificity, as off-target recognition by TCRs could lead to severe toxicity. There are currently no small-molecule drugs for this target; intervention is primarily via cellular or biological therapies.

Other names

Cancer/testis antigen C2 peptide–HLA-B*07:02MAGE-C2/HLA-B*07:02 complexMelanoma antigen family C2 peptide–HLA-B*07:02

Recognition of the MAGE-C2 peptide–HLA-B*07:02 complex by engineered or naturally occurring T cell receptors leads to cytotoxic T cell activation against tumor cells presenting this antigen, resulting in targeted cell killing