Identification of HLA‐A0201‐restricted CTL epitopes encoded by the tumor‐specific MAGE‐2 gene product

MAGE‐2 is expressed in many tumors, including melanoma, laryngeal tumors, lung tumors and sarcomas, but not in healthy tissue, with the exception of testis. Thus, MAGE‐2‐derived peptides that bind to HLA class I molecules and elicit cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses could be of significant therapeutic importance. In this study, we show that several MAGE‐2‐derived peptides bind with high affinity to HLA‐A*0201. Three of them form complexes with HLA‐A*0201 that are stable at 37°C and are immunogenic in HLA‐A*0201Kb transgenic mice. Moreover, CTLs against 2 of them (M2 112‐120, and M2 157‐166) specifically recognize cells that express both the MAGE‐2 protein and HLA‐A*0201Kb. These 2 peptides are processed and presented in the context of HLA‐A*0201. Therefore, these peptides are candidate components in peptide‐based vaccines for the treatment and prevention of several types of MAGE‐2‐expressing cancers. Int. J. Cancer 73:125–130, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.