Tumor-specific peptide-MHC complex (pMHC)

A tumor-specific peptide-MHC (pMHC) complex is a molecular structure formed when a short peptide, derived from proteins uniquely or aberrantly expressed by tumor cells, is bound and presented on the cell surface by an MHC molecule. This presentation enables recognition by T-cell receptors (TCRs), which can trigger immune responses specifically targeting cancer cells. These complexes serve as targets for immunotherapies such as adoptive T-cell transfer and therapeutic vaccines, aiming for minimal off-target effects due to their tumor-specific nature.

Other names

Tumor-associated antigen-MHC complexNeoantigen-MHC complexTumor-specific antigen presentation

Binding and activation of T-cells via TCR interaction, leading to cytotoxic T-cell mediated lysis of tumor cells.