Tumor-associated antigen-derived epitope peptide

Tumor-associated antigen-derived epitope peptides are short amino acid sequences derived from proteins that are abnormally expressed, mutated, or overexpressed in cancer cells. These peptides represent the minimal fragments recognized by the immune system—specifically, by cytotoxic T lymphocytes—when presented on the surface of tumor cells in complex with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. They can be identified from various tumor antigens such as p53, carcinoembryonic antigen, Her2/neu, and MAGE family proteins. Their ability to bind specific HLA alleles with high affinity is correlated with their immunogenicity and capacity to induce anti-tumor CTL responses in vitro and in vivo. These peptides form the basis for many cancer vaccine strategies aiming to stimulate a targeted anti-tumor immune response. However, "tumor-associated antigen-derived epitope peptides" is not a single molecular entity but rather a broad category encompassing many different sequences derived from diverse tumor antigens; thus it is not a canonical target name but rather a functional class of targets.

Other names

TAA-derived epitope peptideTumor antigen epitope peptideCancer antigen-derived epitope peptide

Induce tumor-specific immune responses by presenting on MHC molecules to activate CD8+ and/or CD4+ T cells