Patient-specific tumor neoantigen–Major Histocompatibility Complex–T-cell receptor complex (Neoantigen-MHC-TCR complex)

The patient-specific tumor neoantigen–MHC–TCR complex is a tripartite molecular interaction that serves as the fundamental unit of recognition for the cellular immune system against cancer (Nature Reviews Cancer, 2017). Neoantigens are unique peptides resulting from somatic mutations in a patient's tumor cells that are not found in healthy tissue, making them highly specific targets (Science, 2015). These peptides are processed and displayed on the tumor cell surface by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules, where they are subsequently recognized by specific T-cell receptors (TCRs) (NEJM, 2016). This recognition event is the critical trigger for T-cell activation and the subsequent lysis of malignant cells. Because neoantigens are entirely tumor-specific, they are ideal targets for personalized immunotherapies, including neoantigen vaccines and adoptive TCR-T cell therapies (Nature, 2017). Targeting this complex aims to generate a robust, durable, and highly specific anti-tumor immune response while minimizing damage to normal tissues (Cell, 2020).

Other names

Neoepitope-HLA-TCR complexTumor-specific antigen-MHC-TCR complexPersonalized neoantigen-MHC-TCR complexNeoAg-MHC-TCR

Induction of a specific T-cell immune response where the T-cell receptor (TCR) recognizes a unique tumor-derived peptide (neoantigen) presented by the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC), leading to the targeted destruction of tumor cells.