Survivin-derived peptide epitopes presented on Major Histocompatibility Complex (Survivin-MHC complex)

Survivin, encoded by the BIRC5 gene, is a unique member of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) protein family that is highly expressed in the majority of human malignancies but largely absent in normal differentiated adult tissues (Altieri, 2003, Nature Reviews Cancer). Survivin-derived peptide epitopes are short amino acid sequences resulting from the intracellular degradation of the survivin protein, which are subsequently loaded onto Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules and presented on the cell surface (Berinstein et al., 2012, Vaccine). These peptide-MHC complexes act as tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) that can be recognized by the T-cell receptors (TCRs) of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Because of the differential expression of survivin between cancerous and healthy cells, these epitopes are prime targets for various immunotherapeutic approaches, including peptide-based vaccines like DPX-Survivac and SurVaxM, as well as adoptive cell therapies using TCR-engineered T-cells (Fenstermaker et al., 2016, Cancer Immunology, Immunotherapy). Targeting these epitopes aims to trigger a specific immune-mediated destruction of tumor cells, potentially overcoming the anti-apoptotic signals provided by survivin and inhibiting tumor progression (UniProt P50665).

Other names

BIRC5-derived peptidesSurvivin-HLA complexSurvivin epitopesSurvivin-MHC class I complexSurvivin-derived tumor antigens

Induction of survivin-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses via peptide vaccination and T-cell receptor (TCR)-mediated recognition of peptide-MHC complexes leading to tumor cell lysis.