MAGE-A3 (112-120) - KVAELVHFL

MAGE-A3 (112-120) T-cell epitope for antigen-specific T-cells stimulation in ELISPOT, ICS, cytotoxity or proliferation assays. MAGE-A3 (UniProt: P43357) is a tumor-specific protein expressed in more than 70% of metastatic melanomas, as well as a wide range of non-melanoma epithelial malignancies including lung, ovarian, bladder, head and neck carcinomas, multiple myeloma and hepatocellular carcinoma. MAGE-A3 shares 73% identity with MAGE-A1 protein (UniProt: P43355) and is recognized by autologous cytolytic T-lymphocytes (CTL). To stimulate antigen-specific T-cells, peptides are presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules on the surface of antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Usually, antigenic peptides are between 8 and 11 amino acids in length and exhibit MHC-specific sequence motifs. HLA-A*02:01 restricted KVAELVHFL epitope derives from MAGE-A3 protein proteolysis in the cytosolic compartment. After digestion, Peptide-MHC-I complexes are transported to the surface of APCs where they will be recognized by CD8+ CTL. This interaction will activate CTL and initiate their differentiation to ensure abnormal cells elimination. Among MAGE cancer testis antigens (CTA), MAGE-A3 antigenic peptides represent attractive candidates towards targeted adoptive immunotherapy of cancer.