Multiple Shared Class I/II epitopes

Multiple Shared Class I/II epitopes refer to a collection of antigenic peptide sequences derived from proteins that are commonly expressed in specific diseases, such as cancer or viral infections, across a broad patient population (Source: Nature Reviews Cancer, PMID: 11583642). These epitopes are designed to be presented by both Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Class I and Class II molecules, thereby activating both CD8+ cytotoxic T cells and CD4+ helper T cells (Source: PubMed, PMID: 30555471). In oncology, these shared epitopes often originate from tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) like NY-ESO-1, MAGE-A3, or hTERT. Therapeutic strategies utilizing these epitopes, such as multi-peptide vaccines like IMA901 or UV1, aim to generate a robust and diverse immune response to overcome tumor heterogeneity and prevent immune escape (Source: Lancet Oncology, PMID: 27496658). Unlike personalized neoantigens, shared epitopes allow for 'off-the-shelf' therapeutic products that can be administered to any patient carrying the appropriate HLA alleles. This approach leverages the synergistic effect of activating both arms of the adaptive cellular immune system to achieve more durable clinical responses. Clinical trials have demonstrated the feasibility of targeting multiple shared epitopes to induce measurable T-cell responses, though challenges such as on-target, off-tumor toxicity remain a concern (Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01794169).

Other names

Shared tumor-associated antigensMulti-epitope antigensMHC-restricted shared epitopesCommon tumor antigensShared Class I and II epitopesTumor-associated peptides (TUMAPs)

Induction of antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses through presentation on MHC Class I and II molecules.