Tumor-associated antigens URLC10, CDCA1, and IMP3 (URLC10/CDCA1/IMP3)

The target consists of three tumor-associated antigens (TAAs)—URLC10 (Up-regulated in lung cancer 10), CDCA1 (Cell division cycle associated 1), and IMP3 (Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 3)—which are overexpressed in various malignancies but have limited expression in normal tissues, making them ideal cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) (2.3.1, 2.4.1). These antigens are processed into short peptides and presented on the cell surface by the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-A*2402 molecule, a common MHC class I allele in Asian populations (2.3.1, 2.4.1). The resulting peptide-MHC (pMHC) complexes are recognized by the T-cell receptors (TCRs) of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), which then mediate the lysis of tumor cells (2.3.1, 3.2.4). Therapeutic strategies targeting these complexes include multi-peptide vaccines like S-588410 (Asudemotide), which aim to induce a robust, polyvalent immune response against the tumor (3.1.1, 3.2.4). These vaccines have been investigated in clinical trials for cancers such as esophageal, lung, and bladder cancer, often showing high rates of CTL induction and a manageable safety profile characterized primarily by injection site reactions (3.1.1, 3.1.3).

Other names

LY6K (URLC10)NUF2 (CDCA1)IGF2BP3 (IMP3)KOC1 (IMP3)Up-regulated in lung cancer 10Cell division cycle associated 1Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 3Cancer-testis antigens URLC10, CDCA1, and IMP3HLA-A*2402 peptide-MHC complexes

Peptide vaccine-mediated stimulation of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response and induction of tumor cell lysis