Wilms tumor 1 protein-derived peptide–HLA-A*02:01 complex (WT1–HLA-A*02:01 complex)

The **Wilms tumor 1 protein-derived peptide–HLA-A*02:01 complex** is a molecular structure in which a short peptide fragment derived from the Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) protein—a tumor-associated intracellular transcription factor—is presented on the surface of cells by the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule HLA-A*02:01[1][2][3]. This complex is recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes, enabling immune targeting of WT1-expressing tumor cells[1][4]. Therapeutic strategies such as peptide vaccines and T cell receptor (TCR) mimic antibodies exploit this complex, but specificity concerns exist due to possible cross-reactivity with other HLA-A*02:01–bound peptides[4]. The complex is primarily a research and investigational clinical target in cancers expressing WT1, especially in the context of HLA-A*02:01-positive individuals[1][2][3][4][5].

Other names

Wilms tumor 1 peptide–HLA-A2 complexWT1-derived peptide–HLA-A2 complexHLA-A*02:01 WT1 peptide complex

Activation of cytotoxic (CD8+) T cells specific for the WT1 peptide presented by HLA-A*02:01 on tumor cells - Antibody- or TCR-mimic binding induces tumor cell destruction (ADCC, CDC, T cell lysis)