Tumor-associated cell-surface antigen and HLA-presented tumor peptide

Tumor-associated cell-surface antigens are molecules preferentially or exclusively expressed on the surface of cancer cells, while HLA-presented tumor peptides are short protein fragments derived from these or other tumor-associated proteins, displayed on the cell surface in complex with human leukocyte antigen (HLA, also known as MHC) molecules. These surface molecules and peptides form the basis for T-cell mediated immune recognition of tumors and are central to cancer immunotherapy approaches such as TCR-engineered T cell therapy, CAR-T cell therapy, and cancer vaccines. They are a heterogeneous group, ranging from large cell-surface glycoproteins to short, processed peptides from diverse protein sources, including mutated proteins (neoantigens), overexpressed normal proteins (e.g., cancer-testis antigens), or viral proteins in virus-driven cancers[1][3][4].\n\nThey are not a single molecule or unique protein, but encompass a broad set of immune targets that can be selected for individualized cancer therapy designs[4]. The diversity and personal specificity of these targets are a challenge and an opportunity for immuno-oncology.

Other names

Tumor-associated antigenTumor antigenHLA-presented tumor peptideCancer-testis antigen (subset)Major histocompatibility complex–presented tumor peptide

Recognition by T-cell receptor leading to cytotoxic response (CD8+ T cells recognize HLA-presented tumor peptides)\n- Immune activation (checkpoint blockade increases response to presented peptides)\n- Direct killing of cells expressing specific antigens (via antibody or T cell therapies)