Renal cell carcinoma-associated peptides presented on HLA class I and II molecules (RCC-TUMAPs)

Tumor-associated peptides (TUMAPs) presented on HLA class I and II molecules on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells are short protein fragments displayed on the surface of malignant cells to signal their status to the immune system. These peptides are derived from intracellular proteins that are overexpressed or selectively expressed in RCC, such as MET, MMP7, and GUCY2C, and are loaded onto Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) complexes for presentation to T cells (Walter et al., 2012, Nature Medicine). HLA class I-presented peptides are typically recognized by CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, while HLA class II-presented peptides are recognized by CD4+ helper T cells, both of which are crucial for a robust anti-tumor response (Rammensee et al., 2002, SYFPEITHI). Therapeutic targeting of these peptides, most notably through multi-peptide vaccines like IMA901, involves administering synthetic versions of these TUMAPs to prime and expand tumor-specific T-cell populations (Immatics, 2024). While early trials showed promise in inducing multi-peptide immune responses, later phase 3 studies highlighted challenges in achieving significant overall survival benefits, often attributed to the complex immunosuppressive environment of advanced RCC (Brossart, 2012, Annals of Oncology).

Other names

Tumor-associated peptidesTUMAPsRCC-associated HLA-presented peptidesIMA901 peptidesRenal cell carcinoma antigens

Active immunotherapy involving the administration of synthetic tumor-associated peptides to stimulate a specific T-cell mediated immune response against renal cell carcinoma cells.