Tumor neoantigen (TSA) (TSA)

Tumor neoantigens are novel, patient-specific peptides derived from non-synonymous somatic mutations within a tumor's genome (Schumacher & Schreiber, 2015). These antigens are absent from the normal human genome, making them highly specific targets that bypass central thymic tolerance (Blass & Ott, 2021). In the therapeutic context, these antigens are captured or encoded into vaccines, then processed and presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules on dendritic cells to activate T-lymphocyte T-cell receptors (TCRs). This interaction triggers a robust, tumor-specific immune response, primarily mediated by CD8+ cytotoxic T cells and CD4+ helper T cells (Sahin & Türeci, 2018). Because they are unique to each individual's malignancy, neoantigens are the foundation for personalized cancer vaccines and TCR-engineered T-cell therapies. Their high specificity reduces the likelihood of off-target autoimmune reactions compared to traditional tumor-associated antigens (Xie et al., 2023).

Other names

NeoantigenTumor-specific antigenTSAMutated neoepitopePatient-specific antigen

Induction of patient-specific T-cell responses against mutated tumor peptides presented on MHC molecules.