Prominin-1-derived peptide presented on Major Histocompatibility Complex (CD133-pMHC)

CD133-derived peptide epitopes presented on Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules are specialized targets for T-cell-based cancer immunotherapies. CD133, or Prominin-1, is a well-characterized pentaspan transmembrane glycoprotein and a marker for cancer stem cells (CSCs) in various solid tumors, including glioblastoma, colorectal cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma (Source: UniProt O43490). When the CD133 protein is processed intracellularly, specific peptide fragments are loaded onto MHC Class I molecules and displayed on the cell surface, where they can be recognized by the T-cell receptor (TCR) of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (Source: PubMed 25639153). This target is highly significant because CSCs are often resistant to standard therapies and are a primary driver of tumor relapse; thus, targeting CD133-pMHC complexes allows for the selective destruction of the tumor-initiating population (Source: PubMed 30634445). Therapeutic strategies targeting this complex include TCR-engineered T cells (TCR-T) and dendritic cell vaccines, such as ICT-121, which prime the immune system to recognize these specific epitopes (Source: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02049489). A major challenge in targeting CD133-pMHC is the potential for on-target, off-tumor toxicity, as CD133 is also expressed on healthy hematopoietic and neural stem cells (Source: PubMed 21454469).

Other names

CD133 peptide-MHCPROM1-derived epitopeCD133-HLA complexAC133 antigen epitopeProminin-1 peptide-HLA-A*02:01 complex

Induction of T-cell mediated cytotoxicity against cells presenting CD133-derived peptides on their surface MHC molecules.