Tumor-associated antigens on renal cell carcinoma cells (RCC TAAs)

Tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells are a diverse group of proteins and glycoproteins that are overexpressed or aberrantly expressed on the surface or within the cytoplasm of malignant renal cells. These antigens serve as critical targets for various immunotherapeutic strategies, including cancer vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, and adoptive cell therapies like CAR-T cells. Prominent examples of RCC TAAs include Carbonic Anhydrase IX (CAIX), which is highly specific to clear cell RCC, Mucin-1 (MUC1), CD70, and Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1). These molecules often play roles in tumor progression, such as pH regulation (CAIX), immune evasion (PD-L1), or cell signaling. Drugs targeting these antigens aim to stimulate the patient's immune system to recognize and destroy tumor cells or to directly inhibit the function of the antigen. For instance, the multi-peptide vaccine IMA901 was designed to target ten different TAAs simultaneously to overcome tumor heterogeneity and immune escape. Other therapies, such as Girentuximab, specifically target CAIX to induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity or to deliver radioactive isotopes for imaging and therapy. The therapeutic challenge lies in the heterogeneity of antigen expression across different tumor regions and the potential for on-target, off-tumor toxicities if the antigens are present at low levels in healthy organs.

Other names

Renal cell carcinoma-associated antigensRCC antigensRenal cell carcinoma tumor-associated antigensTAAs in RCC

Induction of active immunity through peptide or dendritic cell vaccination; passive immunity via monoclonal antibodies that block signaling or induce ADCC; and adoptive cell transfer using CAR-T cells or TCR-engineered T cells.