Patient-specific tumor-associated antigen (Neoantigen) (Neoantigen)

Patient-specific tumor-associated antigens, commonly known as neoantigens, are unique proteins arising from somatic mutations within a patient's tumor that are absent in healthy tissues [1, 7]. In personalized immunotherapy, these antigens are loaded onto dendritic cells (DCs)—the most potent antigen-presenting cells—which then process and present them via Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules [2, 12]. This presentation allows for highly specific recognition by T-cell receptors (TCRs) on the surface of T-lymphocytes, initiating a targeted adaptive immune response [13, 15]. This approach is designed to overcome tumor heterogeneity and immune evasion by training the immune system to identify and destroy cells expressing these specific mutations [2, 19]. Clinical applications include dendritic cell vaccines and neoantigen-based therapies, which have shown promise in treating various solid tumors with a favorable safety profile compared to traditional systemic treatments [3, 10, 18].

Other names

NeoantigenTumor-specific antigen (TSA)Tumor-associated antigen (TAA)Personalized cancer antigenTumor-specific mutation-derived antigenpMHC complex

Dendritic cells (DCs) are loaded with patient-specific antigens (neoantigens) and administered to the patient. These DCs present the antigens via Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules to naive T-cells. This interaction, involving the T-cell receptor (TCR) and co-stimulatory signals, primes and expands tumor-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) that circulate and eliminate tumor cells expressing the target antigens [1, 2, 11].