NY-ESO-1 peptide-HLA-DR complex (NY-ESO-1/HLA-DR)

NY-ESO-1 (New York esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 1), encoded by the CTAG1B gene, is a well-characterized cancer-testis antigen (CTA) that is highly expressed in various malignancies but absent in normal adult tissues except for the testis (UniProt P78358). The target NY-ESO-1 peptide presented by HLA-DR refers to the molecular complex formed when NY-ESO-1-derived peptides are displayed on the cell surface by the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class II molecule, HLA-DR (PubMed: 15155838). This presentation occurs on both professional antigen-presenting cells, such as dendritic cells, and certain tumor cells, facilitating the activation of CD4+ T helper cells (PubMed: 24030371). CD4+ T cells recognizing this complex play a pivotal role in the anti-tumor immune response by secreting cytokines like IFN-gamma and providing essential help for the expansion and persistence of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells. Therapeutic strategies targeting this specific pMHC complex include TCR-engineered T-cell therapies (e.g., NCT03017131) and cancer vaccines designed to elicit a broad and durable immune attack against NY-ESO-1-positive tumors.

Other names

NY-ESO-1/HLA-DR complexCTAG1B peptide-HLA-DR complexNY-ESO-1:95-106/HLA-DRB1*01:01NY-ESO-1:116-135/HLA-DRB1*01:01NY-ESO-1/MHC class II complex

The complex acts as a specific ligand for T-cell receptors (TCRs) on CD4+ T lymphocytes, triggering immune activation, cytokine release, and enhancement of the overall anti-tumor response.