Peptide–Human Leukocyte Antigen complexes derived from Programmed cell death 1 ligand 2 (pHLA-PD-L2)

Peptide–Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) complexes derived from Programmed cell death 1 ligand 2 (PD-L2) are specialized molecular targets in cancer immunotherapy. PD-L2, also known as B7-DC or CD273, is an immune checkpoint protein often overexpressed in the tumor microenvironment to suppress T-cell activity via the PD-1 pathway (Source: UniProt P56728). Intracellular processing of the PD-L2 protein generates short peptide fragments that are presented on the cell surface by HLA molecules, forming pHLA complexes (Source: PubMed 32814730). These complexes serve as specific markers that can be recognized by the T-cell receptors (TCRs) of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Therapeutic strategies, such as the peptide vaccine IO102, target these complexes to induce a T-cell response against PD-L2-expressing tumor and immunosuppressive cells (Source: IO Biotech). By activating the immune system to recognize these complexes, therapies aim to eliminate PD-L2-positive cells and enhance the overall anti-tumor response, often in combination with other checkpoint inhibitors (Source: PubMed 35115302). The clinical utility of these targets is highly dependent on the patient's HLA type and the level of PD-L2 expression within the tumor.

Other names

PD-L2/HLA complexB7-DC/HLA complexCD273/HLA complexPD-L2-derived peptide-MHC complexPD-L2/MHC class I complex

Induction of T-cell mediated cytotoxicity against cells presenting PD-L2-derived peptides on HLA molecules, leading to the depletion of PD-L2-expressing tumor and regulatory cells.