Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2-169 peptide presented by HLA-A*2402 (VEGFR2-169/HLA-A*2402)

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), also known as Kinase Insert Domain Receptor (KDR), is a primary mediator of angiogenesis, a process critical for tumor growth and survival (UniProt P35968). The VEGFR2-169 peptide (sequence: RFVPDGNRI) is an immunogenic epitope derived from the VEGFR2 protein that is processed and presented on the cell surface by the HLA-A*2402 MHC class I molecule (PMID: 12414657). This specific peptide-MHC complex serves as a therapeutic target for cancer immunotherapies, including peptide vaccines and T-cell receptor (TCR) engineered T-cell therapies. By targeting cells that present this epitope—most notably the proliferating endothelial cells within the tumor neovasculature—these therapies aim to disrupt the tumor's blood supply and induce tumor regression (PMID: 20403335). This approach is particularly relevant for HLA-A*2402-positive patients, a genotype prevalent in Asian populations. Clinical investigations have explored this target across various solid tumors, including pancreatic, colorectal, and gastric cancers, often in combination with chemotherapy or other immunomodulators to enhance the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response (PMID: 25193493).

Other names

KDR-169 peptideVEGFR2-169 epitopeHLA-A*2402-restricted VEGFR2-169Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 peptide 169RFVPDGNRI peptide

Induction of peptide-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) that recognize and lyse VEGFR2-expressing cells, primarily tumor-associated endothelial cells, thereby inhibiting tumor angiogenesis and growth.