Minor histocompatibility antigen UTA2-1 presented by HLA-A*02:01 (UTA2-1)

UTA2-1 is a hematopoietic-specific minor histocompatibility antigen (mHag) presented by the HLA-A*02:01 molecule. It was identified from a multiple myeloma patient who achieved a long-lasting complete remission after donor lymphocyte infusion, highlighting its potential to mediate a strong graft-versus-tumor (GvT) effect (Oostvogels et al., 2013). The antigen is a nonameric peptide (QLLNSVLTL) encoded by a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP rs2166807) in the C12orf35 gene, also known as KIAA1551 or RESF1 (Oostvogels et al., 2013; Rodenko et al., 2014). Due to its restricted expression in hematopoietic cells, UTA2-1 is considered an ideal target for immunotherapy in the context of allogeneic stem cell transplantation, as it can induce tumor-specific immune responses with a low risk of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) (Oostvogels et al., 2013). Therapeutic strategies under investigation include peptide vaccines, dendritic cell vaccines, and engineered T-cell receptor (TCR) therapies designed to recognize the UTA2-1/HLA-A*02:01 complex on malignant cells (Hobo et al., 2013; TScan Therapeutics, 2026).

Other names

UTA2-1mHag UTA2-1Minor histocompatibility antigen UTA2-1C12orf35-derived peptideQLLNSVLTL peptideKIAA1551-derived peptideRESF1-derived peptiders2166807-encoded peptide

T cell-mediated cytotoxicity