T cell receptor specific for tumor antigen (TCR (tumor antigen-specific))

The T cell receptor specific for tumor antigen (TCR) is a heterodimeric immune receptor on T cells that recognizes specific peptide antigens presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules on the surface of tumor cells. In autologous T cell therapies, T cells from the patient are either expanded for their endogenous tumor reactivity (as with tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy) or genetically engineered to express a TCR specific to a known tumor antigen (as with TCR-T therapies). Upon antigen recognition via the TCR, the T cell is activated, proliferates, and kills the tumor cell presenting the antigen. This approach allows targeting of intracellular tumor antigens inaccessible to antibody-based therapies, but is limited by MHC restriction (specificity to patient's HLA type) and risk of cross-reactivity or immune-related adverse events. The primary clinical use is in treating advanced or otherwise therapy-resistant cancers. If greater specificity is desired for database work, the canonical target should be mapped to an individual TCR (e.g., "NY-ESO-1-specific T cell receptor"), rather than the general mechanism or category.

Other names

Tumor antigen-specific T cell receptorTumor-reactive TCREngineered T cell receptor (in engineered contexts)TCR-T (for TCR-transduced T cells)Autologous TCR (in autologous therapy settings)

Recognition of tumor-derived peptide antigens presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC, also called HLA in humans) on tumor cells via variable regions of the TCR. Initiation of T cell activation, leading to cytotoxicity against tumor cells expressing the relevant antigen.