T cell receptor specific for Human Papillomavirus type 16 E7 (11-19) presented by HLA-A*02:01 (HPV16 E7 TCR) (HPV16 E7 TCR)

The T cell receptor (TCR) specific for Human Papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) E7 (11-19) presented by HLA-A*02:01 is a specialized immune receptor utilized in adoptive cell transfer therapies for the treatment of HPV-associated malignancies. HPV16 is a high-risk virus responsible for the majority of cervical cancers and a significant proportion of oropharyngeal, anal, and vulvar cancers (Draper et al., 2015, Clin Cancer Res). The E7 protein is a viral oncoprotein essential for malignant transformation and is constitutively expressed in HPV-infected tumor cells, making it an ideal, tumor-specific target. This TCR is engineered to recognize the E7 peptide fragment (amino acids 11-19, YMLDLQPET) when presented by the HLA-A*02:01 MHC class I molecule (Nagarsheth et al., 2021, JCI Insight). Upon recognition of the peptide-MHC complex, T cells expressing this TCR undergo activation, leading to the secretion of cytotoxic molecules and pro-inflammatory cytokines that mediate tumor cell lysis. Clinical trials have demonstrated that infusion of these TCR-engineered T cells can induce objective clinical responses and durable regressions in patients with metastatic HPV16-positive cancers (Doran et al., 2019, J Clin Oncol). Key therapeutic challenges include the requirement for patient HLA-A*02:01 matching and the potential for tumor escape through HLA downregulation. Safety considerations primarily involve cytokine release syndrome and the theoretical risk of cross-reactivity with human self-peptides (Nagarsheth et al., 2021, JCI Insight).

Other names

HPV16 E7-specific TCRE7 TCRYMLDLQPET-specific TCRHLA-A*02:01-restricted HPV16 E7 TCR

The TCR-engineered T cells recognize the HPV16 E7 peptide (11-19) presented by HLA-A*02:01 on tumor cells, triggering T cell activation, cytokine release, and direct cytotoxic killing of the target cell.