NY-ESO-1 peptide SLLMWITQC presented by HLA-A*02:01 (NY-ESO-1:157-165/HLA-A*02:01)

The NY-ESO-1 peptide SLLMWITQC presented by HLA-A*02:01 is a specific peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) target used in advanced cancer immunotherapy. NY-ESO-1, encoded by the CTAG1B gene, is a well-characterized cancer-testis antigen that is highly expressed in various malignancies—including synovial sarcoma, melanoma, and multiple myeloma—but is restricted to the immune-privileged testes and placenta in normal tissues (Chen et al., 1997, PNAS). The SLLMWITQC sequence (residues 157-165) is the immunodominant epitope of the protein and is presented on the cell surface by the HLA-A*02:01 allele, the most common MHC class I molecule in many populations (Jäger et al., 1998, J. Exp. Med.). This pMHC complex is the primary target for T-cell receptor (TCR) engineered therapies and bispecific T-cell engagers (ImmTACs), which are designed to redirect the patient's immune system to recognize and kill NY-ESO-1-positive tumor cells (D'Angelo et al., 2018, Cancer Discovery). Clinical trials for drugs like letetresgene autoleucel have shown significant clinical activity in patients whose tumors express NY-ESO-1 and who carry the HLA-A*02:01 allele (Pollack et al., 2020, Journal of Clinical Oncology). Because of its high tumor specificity and restricted normal tissue expression, this complex remains one of the most promising targets in the field of adoptive cell transfer and T-cell engaging biologics.

Other names

NY-ESO-1 (157-165) peptideSLLMWITQCCTAG1B peptideHLA-A*02:01-restricted NY-ESO-1 epitopeNY-ESO-1/HLA-A2 complex

T-cell receptor (TCR) mediated recognition of the peptide-MHC complex leading to T-cell activation and directed cytotoxicity against tumor cells.