Patient-specific neoantigen–MHC complex on antigen-presenting cell

A patient-specific neoantigen–MHC complex on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) refers to the molecular complex formed when a unique, tumor-derived peptide (neoantigen)—resulting from somatic mutations, gene fusions, or aberrant post-translational modifications—is naturally processed, loaded onto a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule, and displayed on the surface of professional antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells[1][2][3][4][5][6]. These complexes play a pivotal role in cancer immunity by enabling recognition of tumor cells by T cells, distinguishing tumor from normal tissue, and serving as targets for highly personalized immunotherapies. Only a subset of neoantigens are efficiently processed and presented by MHC, and their ability to elicit a strong T cell immune response depends on both the properties of the peptide and the patient's MHC genotype[1][2][3][5][6]. Targeting these complexes has shown clinical potential in vaccines, adoptive cell transfer, and as a biomarker for response to immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Other names

Neoantigen–MHC complex on APCPatient-specific neoantigen–MHCTumor neoantigen–MHC complex

Presentation of neoantigen–MHC complexes enables recognition by T cell receptors (TCRs) on CD4+ (MHC-II) or CD8+ (MHC-I) T cells, leading to T cell activation and cytotoxic anti-tumor effects[1][3][4][5][6]. Cancer therapies such as vaccines or adoptive transfer rely on priming or expanding T cells specific for these complexes[1][6].