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 and specific isoforms. Originally identified in pediatric kidney tumors, it is essential for the normal development of the urogenital system and mesothelial tissues (UniProt P19544). In adult pathologies, WT1 is frequently overexpressed in a wide range of hematological malignancies and solid tumors, where it promotes cell survival, proliferation, and resistance to chemotherapy (PubMed: 25710895). Because WT1 is an intracellular protein, it is not accessible by traditional monoclonal antibodies; instead, it is targeted through immunotherapy approaches that recognize WT1 peptide fragments presented by Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules on the cell surface. Current therapeutic strategies include peptide-based vaccines, such as Galinpepimut-S, and adoptive cell therapies using T-cell receptor (TCR) engineered T-cells designed to specifically lyse WT1-expressing tumor cells (NIH/NCI). Its restricted expression in normal adult tissues compared to its high prevalence in cancer makes it one of the top-ranked antigens for cancer immunotherapy development.

Other names

Wilms tumor 1WT33AWT1GUDWAGRWIT-2

Induction of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response against WT1-derived peptides presented on HLA molecules; TCR-engineered T-cell recognition of intracellular WT1 fragments.