Tumor antigen presentation enhancement

Tumor antigen presentation enhancement refers to therapeutic strategies designed to increase the display of tumor-derived antigens on the cell surface, primarily via major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I or II molecules, to improve immune system recognition and killing of cancer cells. Tumors frequently evade immune destruction by downregulating key components of the antigen processing and presentation machinery (APM). Therapeutic approaches to enhance antigen presentation include the use of epigenetic modulators, interferons, and other agents that restore or increase MHC expression and antigen processing, thereby increasing tumor immunogenicity and improving responses to immunotherapy such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. This strategy targets a pathway, not an individual protein or receptor, and is an active area of research in cancer immunology.

Other names

Antigen presentation enhancementTumor antigen processing and presentation upregulationTumor immunogenicity enhancement

Upregulation of MHC class I and II expression; Increased proteasome and immunoproteasome activity; Epigenetic reprogramming of tumor antigen presentation genes; Reversal of tumor-mediated silencing of antigen-presenting genes (e.g., via DNA methylation or histone modification inhibitors); Cytokine stimulation (e.g., IFN-γ–induced upregulation of antigen processing machinery)