NY-ESO-1 peptide 123–137 presented by HLA-DRB3*02:02 (NY-ESO-1(123-137)/HLA-DRB3*02:02)

NY-ESO-1 peptide 123–137 presented by HLA-DRB3*02:02 is a specific peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) that serves as a target for cancer immunotherapy. NY-ESO-1 is a well-known cancer-testis antigen (CTA) encoded by the CTAG1B gene, characterized by its high expression in various malignancies but restricted expression in normal tissues, primarily the immune-privileged testis (Gnjatic et al., Adv Cancer Res, 2006). The peptide fragment consisting of amino acids 123–137 (VLLKEFTVSGNILTI) is a potent CD4+ T-cell epitope when presented by the HLA-DRB3*02:02 Class II molecule (Zeng et al., J Immunol, 2004). This target is particularly significant because CD4+ T cells recognizing this complex can provide essential help for CD8+ T-cell responses or exert direct cytotoxic effects against MHC Class II-positive tumor cells. Therapeutic approaches focusing on this target include the development of T-cell receptor (TCR) engineered T-cell therapies and therapeutic vaccines aimed at treating NY-ESO-1-expressing malignancies such as melanoma and synovial sarcoma. Clinical monitoring for therapies targeting this pMHC involves assessing NY-ESO-1 expression in tumor biopsies and confirming the patient's HLA-DRB3*02:02 status.

Other names

NY-ESO-1(123-137)/HLA-DRB3*02:02 complexCTAG1B(123-137)/HLA-DRB3*02:02NY-ESO-1 p123-137 MHC Class II complexVLLKEFTVSGNILTI/HLA-DRB3*02:02

Recognition of the peptide-MHC complex by engineered or endogenous T-cell receptors (TCRs), leading to T-cell activation, cytokine production, and subsequent anti-tumor effector functions.