Melanoma-associated antigen presented by HLA-A*0201 (MAA/HLA-A*0201 complex)

This target refers to the molecular complex formed by melanoma-associated antigens (MAAs)—such as MART-1, gp100, or tyrosinase—when they are processed and presented on the cell surface by the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) allele A*0201. This peptide-MHC (pMHC) complex serves as the specific ligand for the T-cell receptors (TCRs) found on cytotoxic CD8+ T cells (National Cancer Institute, 2023). In melanoma, these antigens are often overexpressed, making the pMHC complex a critical target for immunotherapy. Therapeutic approaches, including dendritic cell vaccines and TCR-engineered T-cell therapies, aim to enhance the recognition of these complexes to induce tumor cell apoptosis via the release of perforins and granzymes (Nature Reviews Cancer, 2021). While highly specific to the melanocytic lineage, the presence of these antigens in normal skin and eye melanocytes can lead to off-tumor toxicities like vitiligo or uveitis (Journal of Immunotherapy, 2022). The input provided is considered 'incorrect' as a canonical name because it describes a therapeutic mechanism or cellular interaction rather than a discrete molecular target entity.

Other names

Tumor-associated antigen (TAA)HLA-A2 restricted melanoma antigenMelanoma antigen peptide-MHC complexMART-1/HLA-A2 complexgp100/HLA-A2 complex

T-cell receptor (TCR) mediated recognition of peptide-MHC complexes leading to CD8+ T-cell activation and directed lysis of tumor cells.