Tumor-specific neoantigen peptide presented on major histocompatibility complex class I or II (Neoantigen peptide-MHC (sometimes abbreviated as TSNA/MAP for Tumor-specific Neoantigen/MHC-associated Peptide, but no universally standardized abbreviation exists))

Tumor-specific neoantigen peptides are short sequences generated by cancer-exclusive genetic alterations—including single nucleotide variants, insertions or deletions, fusions, or splicing events—that can be processed and presented on the surface of tumor cells bound to MHC class I or MHC class II molecules. Their presentation allows recognition and destruction of cancer cells by T cells, making them highly attractive agents for immunotherapy, personalized cancer vaccines, and biomarker discovery. Only a minority of predicted neoantigens are immunogenic and elicit robust antitumor responses. Identification and validation of these targets require integration of genomic and immunological data, and their use is complicated by tumor heterogeneity, MHC diversity, and immune escape mechanisms.

Other names

NeoantigenTumor-specific neoantigenMHC-associated peptide (MAP)Tumor-specific antigen (TSA; though TSA includes neoantigens and antigens generated by other mechanisms)MHC class I-restricted neoantigen (when specifying class I)MHC class II-restricted neoantigen (when specifying class II)

Immune recognition: Neoantigen-MHC complexes are recognized by T cell receptors, activating cytotoxic CD8+ T cells (MHC-I) or helper CD4+ T cells (MHC-II). Initiate cytolytic attack of tumor cells. Drive vaccine-elicited antitumor activity.