Tumor-associated antigen in acute myeloid leukemia (AML TAA) (AML TAA)

Tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) represent a diverse group of proteins that are overexpressed or aberrantly expressed in leukemic blasts compared to normal hematopoietic cells (PubMed: 31631116). Key examples include Wilms Tumor 1 (WT1), a zinc-finger transcription factor essential for urogenital development that is overexpressed in the majority of AML cases (UniProt: P19544; PubMed: 17235019); Preferentially Expressed Antigen in Melanoma (PRAME), a cancer-testis antigen that inhibits retinoic acid signaling to prevent cell differentiation (UniProt: P78395; PubMed: 28630045); and Receptor for Hyaluronan-Mediated Motility (RHAMM/HMMR), which is involved in centrosome regulation and mitosis (UniProt: O75330). These antigens serve as critical targets for various immunotherapeutic strategies, including peptide vaccines, T-cell receptor (TCR) engineered T-cells, and bispecific antibodies (PubMed: 31631116). Because these proteins are often intracellular, they are typically presented as peptides on the cell surface via Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules, making them ideal for T-lymphocyte-mediated interventions (PubMed: 17235019). Targeting these antigens aims to eradicate minimal residual disease and prevent relapse in AML patients, although challenges such as HLA-restriction and potential off-target effects in healthy tissues like the kidneys or testes remain significant therapeutic hurdles (PubMed: 31631116).

Other names

Wilms tumor 1WT1Preferentially expressed antigen in melanomaPRAMEReceptor for hyaluronan-mediated motilityRHAMMHMMRLeukemia-associated antigenLAA

Induction of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response against tumor-specific peptides presented on MHC class I or II molecules.