Tumor-associated antigen epitopes presented on HLA-A*02:01 and pan-HLA-DR (TAA-HLA-A2/DR)

Tumor-associated antigen (TAA) epitopes presented on HLA-A*02:01 and pan-HLA-DR represent a therapeutic target complex used to stimulate the adaptive immune system against malignancies. These targets consist of short peptide sequences, often called tumor-associated peptides (TUMAPs), derived from proteins that are overexpressed or selectively expressed in tumor cells [PMID: 23040437, Immatics N.V.]. The HLA-A*02:01 component targets the most common MHC Class I allele in many populations to activate CD8+ cytotoxic T cells, which are responsible for direct tumor cell lysis. The pan-HLA-DR component involves MHC Class II-restricted peptides designed to bind multiple HLA-DR alleles, ensuring the recruitment of CD4+ helper T cells to provide essential cytokines for a sustained immune response [PMID: 26431507]. This dual-targeting approach is primarily utilized in multi-peptide vaccines and T-cell receptor (TCR) based therapies to overcome tumor heterogeneity and reduce the risk of immune escape. Clinical applications have focused on indications such as renal cell carcinoma and glioblastoma, where these epitopes are identified through advanced mass spectrometry to ensure natural presentation on primary tumor tissues [PMID: 28807986]. By combining multiple epitopes, these therapies aim to achieve a broader and more robust anti-tumor effect than single-antigen approaches.

Other names

Tumor-associated peptides (TUMAPs)Peptide-MHC complexespMHCHLA-A2/DR-restricted tumor antigensMulti-peptide tumor-associated antigens

Active immunotherapy involving the administration of synthetic tumor-associated peptides that bind to HLA-A*02:01 and HLA-DR molecules on antigen-presenting cells, thereby inducing the expansion of tumor-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocytes and CD4+ helper T-lymphocytes [PMID: 23040437].