Tumor antigen peptide–major histocompatibility complex complex (pMHC)

A tumor antigen peptide–major histocompatibility complex complex (pMHC) is formed when a tumor-derived peptide is bound and presented by an MHC molecule (either class I or II) on the surface of a cell. This complex can be specifically recognized by the T cell receptor (TCR) of a cytotoxic or helper T cell. The recognition of tumor-specific or tumor-associated pMHC complexes by autologous TCRs is the basis of immune surveillance against cancer, and forms the molecular basis for several immunotherapeutic strategies, such as TCR-engineered T cell therapies, cancer vaccines, and bispecific antibodies. The pMHC interaction is highly specific, determined both by the peptide sequence and the MHC allele, and functions as a molecular flag alerting T cells to the presence of abnormal or foreign proteins. Therapeutic targeting of specific tumor antigen pMHC complexes has become a major focus in adoptive immunotherapy and cancer vaccine development.

Other names

peptide–MHC complexpMHCtumor antigen–MHC complexTCR epitopeantigenic peptide–MHC complextumor-associated antigen–MHC complex

Recognition and lysis of tumor cells presenting specific peptide–MHC complexes by engineered T cells; Immune activation via presentation of tumor antigens to T cells; Induction of cytotoxic T lymphocyte response against cancer cells