Patient-specific chronic lymphocytic leukemia antigens (CLL neoantigens)

Patient-specific chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) antigens, often referred to as neoantigens, are unique proteins or peptides that arise from somatic mutations within the malignant B-cells of an individual patient (Wu et al., Nature, 2017). Unlike shared tumor-associated antigens, these neoantigens are not expressed in normal tissues, making them highly specific targets for the immune system with a lower risk of central tolerance or autoimmunity (Ott et al., Nature, 2017). In the context of CLL, these antigens are identified through whole-exome sequencing and RNA sequencing of a patient's tumor cells compared to their healthy cells to pinpoint non-synonymous mutations. Therapeutic strategies, such as personalized neoantigen vaccines like NeoVax, aim to prime and expand the patient's own T-cells to recognize and eliminate cells expressing these specific mutations (Keskin et al., Nature, 2019). This approach leverages the immune system's ability to mount a precise attack against the heterogeneous landscape of the disease, potentially providing long-term surveillance and reducing the risk of relapse.

Other names

CLL neoantigensTumor-specific neoantigensPersonalized CLL antigensSomatic mutation-derived neoepitopesCLL TSAs

Induction of a polyclonal T-cell response (CD4+ and CD8+) specifically targeting mutated peptides presented on the surface of leukemia cells, leading to tumor cell lysis.