Tumor-specific neoantigen presented on MHC complex

Tumor-specific neoantigens presented on MHC complexes are short peptides derived from proteins with tumor-specific mutations, such as single nucleotide variants, insertions, deletions, gene fusions, or aberrant post-translational modifications. These peptides are processed and bound by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules (primarily MHC-I, but also MHC-II), then displayed on the surface of tumor cells, where they can be recognized by T cell receptors of the adaptive immune system. Unlike tumor-associated antigens, which may be present at low levels in normal tissue, neoantigens arise from unique somatic alterations absent from normal human tissues, making them highly specific and theoretically ideal targets for cancer immunotherapy. Detection and personalized targeting of these antigens have become cornerstones of modern strategies such as neoantigen vaccines and adoptive cell transfer, aiming to provoke strong, tumor-specific immune responses with minimal off-target effects. Their immunogenicity and tumor specificity underpin the rationale for exploiting them as therapeutic targets in cancer immunotherapy.

Other names

tumor neoantigentumor-specific antigenTSAneoantigentumor-specific neoepitope

Induce tumor-specific T cell responses by presenting novel, non-self peptide epitopes to T cells\nEnable immune recognition and killing of tumor cells by activating T cell receptors specific for the neoantigen-MHC complex