Tumor neoantigen peptide–HLA complex (recognized by TVAX-derived T cell receptors) (NeoAg-HLA complex)

Tumor neoantigen peptide–HLA complexes are molecular targets formed by the presentation of mutation-derived peptides on the surface of cancer cells via Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) molecules. These complexes are highly tumor-specific because the peptides arise from somatic mutations absent in normal tissues, making them ideal targets for precision immunotherapy. TVAX-derived T cell receptors (TCRs) are specialized immune receptors identified or induced through the TVAX platform, which utilizes genetically modified T cells as vaccines to prime the endogenous immune system. These TCRs exhibit high specificity for neoantigen-HLA complexes, enabling the immune system to selectively recognize and destroy malignant cells. This target class is central to the development of personalized cancer vaccines and TCR-engineered T cell therapies (TCR-T), particularly for aggressive malignancies like glioblastoma and melanoma. Therapeutic success depends on the accurate identification of immunogenic neoantigens and the selection of TCRs with optimal affinity and minimal cross-reactivity to self-antigens.

Other names

Neoepitope-HLA complexTumor-specific antigen-MHC complexMutation-derived peptide-HLA complexpMHC complexNeoantigen-MHC complex

T cell receptor (TCR) binding to the peptide-HLA complex on the tumor cell surface, which triggers T cell activation, cytokine release, and cytotoxic lysis of the target cell.