Peptide Antigens from Tumor Cells Pave the Way for Innovative Cancer Vaccines

Check the cancer peptide database for a list of tumor peptides.

Tumor antigens can be classified into two categories based on their expression pattern: tumor-specific antigens (TSA) and tumor-associated antigens (TAA).

Targeting tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) is a promising approach for cancer immunotherapy. Neoantigens are tumor-specific antigens originating from somatic mutations in cancer cells but not healthy tissues. So the TAAs are considered as ideal targets for novel immunotherapies. Antigens of three classes can induce tumor-specific T-cell responses.

1. Antigens derived from viral proteins: Viral proteins are produced inside the tumor cells. So the antigenic peptides can be detected by T cells.

2. Antigens derived from point mutations: Many CTL isolated from the tumors were found to recognize antigens that arise from point mutations in ubiquitously expressed genes. These mutations are passenger mutations, and the corresponding antigenic peptides are unique to the tumors in which they were identified.

3. Antigens encoded by cancer-germline genes: Cancer-germline genes are expressed in many cancer types and not in normal tissues except germline and trophoblastic cells. The tumor-specific pattern of expression results from the genome-wide demethylation in male germ cells.

A large number of antigenic peptides recognized by antitumor CTL have been identified. Candidate peptides can be synthesized and tested for HLA binding in vitro. The elution of antigenic peptides from MHC class I molecules immunopurified from the surface of tumor cells can be used to identify the antigens. TAAs can be targeted using peptide vaccines or by cellular approaches. The delivery of new peptide drugs might show great promise for future therapies.

Peptide Antigens

Tumor-associated peptide antigens

LifeTein can customize a discovery and development path to fit your exact needs for peptide synthesis.

+LifeTein

Innovative Tumor-Permeable Peptide iRGD Targets Cancer with Precision

A tumor-penetrating peptide, iRGD, was synthesized by LifeTein. It was found that iRGD improves tumor-specific penetration of intraperitoneal compounds and enhances intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC) in mice. This penetration was tumor-specific. When the FITC was attached to iRGD and mixed with nanoparticles, the mixture could penetrate into fresh human peritoneal metastasis explants. The evidence proved that the LifeTein iRGD enhanced intratumoral entry. The intraperitoneal iRGD co-administration is a simple and effective strategy to facilitate tumor detection and potential application for therapeutic improvement.

LifeTein’s Peptide: iRGD

A tumor-penetrating peptide enhances circulation-independent targeting of peritoneal carcinomatosis, Journal of Controlled Release, Volume 212, 28 August 2015, Pages 59–69

Peptide Synthesis Home Page

Our Services:

COVID-19 Services & Products

Custom Antibody Services

Rush Peptide Synthesis

Peptide Nucleic Acids (PNAs)

Custom Peptide Synthesis Services

Gene Synthesis Service

Custom Chemical Synthesis

Other Posts:

Nanoparticles Get Help from Cell-Permeable Peptides

Predicting type 1 diabetes in children

Improving Antibody Therapy For Colorectal Cancer

To Make Simpler and Better Biosensors

A New Patent Using Peptides