T-cell receptor recognizing HPV16 or HPV18 antigen presented by major histocompatibility complex

The **T-cell receptor (TCR) recognizing HPV16 or HPV18 antigen presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC)** refers to the antigen receptor on T cells that specifically recognizes peptides derived from the oncoproteins (mainly E6 and E7) of high-risk human papillomavirus type 16 or 18 when presented on the surface of infected or cancerous cells by MHC molecules. These TCRs can be naturally occurring in HPV-associated cancer patients or engineered for cellular therapies. They are critical for the immune-mediated elimination of HPV-driven cancers. Recognition is HLA-restricted (e.g., HLA-A*02:01 for some HPV16 epitopes, HLA-DR for class II), and both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells can be involved. Engineered TCRs specific for HPV16 or HPV18 epitopes are under clinical investigation for adoptive cell therapy of HPV-driven tumors. The exact therapeutic target is the TCR-peptide-MHC triad rather than a single molecule, and thus, the query as phrased is overly broad and not a standard molecular target name—it describes an immunologic process or targeting strategy, not a singular canonical gene/protein target[1][2][3][4][5].

Other names

TCR targeting HPV16 E6/E7TCR targeting HPV18 E6/E7HPV-specific T-cell receptor

Recognition of HPV16 or HPV18 oncoprotein peptide presented by MHC (HLA-A*02:01 or HLA class II etc.) on tumor cell → T-cell activation → immune-mediated tumor cell killing In some contexts, redirection and amplification of patient T cells by genetic engineering of TCRs against these viral oncoproteins