Wilms' tumor protein (WT1) (WT1)

Wilms' tumor protein (WT1) is a zinc-finger transcription factor that plays a dual role as both a tumor suppressor and an oncogene depending on the cellular context. It is essential for the normal development of the urogenital system, heart, and other organs, but its expression is highly restricted in healthy adult tissues. In contrast, WT1 is overexpressed in a wide variety of hematological malignancies, such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and solid tumors, including mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. This differential expression makes WT1 a premier tumor-associated antigen (TAA) for cancer immunotherapy, frequently ranked as a top target by the National Cancer Institute. Therapeutic approaches targeting WT1 include peptide and dendritic cell vaccines, as well as engineered T-cell receptor (TCR) therapies, which aim to induce a robust cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response against tumor cells. Additionally, WT1 serves as a critical biomarker for diagnosing certain cancers and monitoring minimal residual disease (MRD) to predict relapse. Clinical trials have demonstrated that WT1-targeted therapies can be safe and effective in inducing immune responses without significant auto-aggression against normal tissues.

Other names

Wilms tumor 1WT33GUDWAGRWIT-2NPHS4AEWS-GUDWT1 transcription factor

Induction of WT1-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses and recognition of WT1 peptide-MHC complexes on tumor cells.