Multiple tumor-associated peptide–HLA complexes (TUMAPs) (TUMAPs)

Multiple tumor-associated peptide–HLA complexes (TUMAPs) are a therapeutic target class consisting of a collection of short peptides derived from tumor-associated proteins and presented on the cell surface by Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) molecules. These targets are identified using advanced mass spectrometry (ligandomics) to confirm their actual presence on the surface of primary tumor tissues, distinguishing them from targets predicted solely by genomic data (Immatics, 2023). By targeting multiple peptides simultaneously, these therapies aim to address tumor heterogeneity and reduce the risk of immune escape, which occurs when a tumor loses a single targeted antigen. These complexes are recognized by T-cell receptors (TCRs), triggering a specific immune response where cytotoxic T cells identify and destroy the malignant cells (Walter et al., 2012). This approach is utilized in the development of cancer vaccines and adoptive cell therapies, such as TCR-engineered T cells (TCR-T), to provide a precise and multi-pronged attack against various solid tumors including renal cell carcinoma and glioblastoma (Rampling et al., 2016).

Other names

Tumor-associated peptidesTUMAPHLA-presented tumor antigensMHC-peptide complexesMulti-peptide tumor antigens

TUMAPs serve as the recognition elements for T-cell receptors (TCRs). Therapeutic interventions, such as multi-peptide vaccines or TCR-engineered T cells, are designed to recognize these specific peptide-HLA combinations, leading to the activation of CD8+ and CD4+ T cells and subsequent lysis of tumor cells (Walter et al., 2012; Immatics, 2023).