Universal Cancer Peptide 2

Universal Cancer Peptide 2 (UCP2) is a synthetic peptide derived from the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) protein. It stimulates anti-tumor immune responses, particularly by activating CD4+ T helper cells. UCP2 is used as a component in therapeutic cancer vaccines, notably UCPVax. It promotes tumor-specific Th1 activation, aiming to improve the efficacy of immunotherapies such as PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors. Cancers with high hTERT expression are primary targets for therapies involving UCP2-based vaccination strategies. It is not related to mitochondrial uncoupling protein also called “UCP2.”

Induces anti-tumor Th1 immune response via MHC class II pathway