Patient-specific tumor-associated antigens and neoantigen peptides presented on MHC class I and II (Neoantigens/TAAs)

Patient-specific tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and neoantigens are unique peptides derived from somatic mutations or aberrantly expressed proteins within a patient's tumor (Schumacher & Schreiber, Science 2015). These antigens are processed by dendritic cells and presented on Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I and II molecules to prime CD8+ cytotoxic and CD4+ helper T cells, respectively (Sahin & Türeci, Science 2018). Unlike shared antigens, neoantigens are often entirely absent from normal tissues, which reduces the risk of central tolerance and potential autoimmunity (Hu et al., Nature Reviews Immunology 2021). Therapeutic strategies, such as personalized mRNA or peptide-based vaccines, utilize these antigens to direct the immune system to recognize and destroy malignant cells (Blass & Ott, Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology 2021). This approach is highly specific to the individual's tumor profile, addressing the challenge of intratumoral heterogeneity and providing a pathway for precision immunotherapy in various solid tumors (Ott et al., Nature 2017).

Other names

NeoantigensTumor-specific antigensTSAsTumor-associated antigensTAAsMHC-peptide complexesPersonalized cancer antigensTumor neoantigens

Induction of patient-specific T-cell mediated immune responses by presenting tumor-derived peptides on MHC molecules to activate CD4+ and CD8+ T cells for targeted tumor cell lysis.