Melanoma-expressed antigen 1 peptide presented by HLA-A*02:01 (MELOE-1/HLA-A2)

MELOE-1 (Melanoma-expressed antigen 1) is a tumor-associated antigen specifically expressed in melanoma cells and melanocytes, encoded by an unconventional open reading frame within the MELOE transcript (Godefroy et al., 2007; PubMed). The specific peptide MELOE-1(36-44), with the sequence TLNDECWPA, is processed and presented on the cell surface by the HLA-A*02:01 molecule, forming a complex that is highly immunogenic (Bobinet et al., 2012; Journal of Immunology). This peptide-MHC complex is a primary target for cytotoxic T lymphocytes in patients with melanoma and is being utilized in the development of adoptive T-cell therapies, such as TCR-engineered T cells (TCR-T) (Le Luc et al., 2021; Frontiers in Immunology). Because MELOE-1 expression is largely restricted to the melanocytic lineage and is significantly upregulated in metastatic melanoma, it serves as a specific marker for therapeutic intervention. Targeting this complex allows for the selective destruction of tumor cells while minimizing systemic toxicity, although potential side effects include the destruction of healthy melanocytes leading to vitiligo. Current research focuses on optimizing TCR affinity and overcoming the limitations of HLA restriction to improve clinical outcomes in HLA-A2-positive melanoma patients.

Other names

MELOE-1(36-44) peptideTLNDECWPA peptideMelanoma-expressed antigen 1MELOE-1-HLA-A2 complexMELOE1

T-cell receptor-mediated recognition and cytotoxic lysis of tumor cells