Pancreatic cancer-restricted cryptic antigens are targets for T cell recognition

Science. 2025 May 8;388(6747):eadk3487. doi: 10.1126/science.adk3487. Epub 2025 May 8.

Abstract

Translation of the noncoding genome in cancer can generate cryptic (noncanonical) peptides capable of presentation by human leukocyte antigen class I (HLA-I); however, the cancer specificity and immunogenicity of noncanonical HLA-I-bound peptides (ncHLAp) are incompletely understood. Using high-resolution immunopeptidomics, we discovered that cryptic peptides are abundant in the pancreatic cancer immunopeptidome. Approximately 30% of ncHLAp exhibited cancer-restricted translation, and a substantial subset were shared among patients. Cancer-restricted ncHLAp displayed robust immunogenic potential in a sensitive ex vivo T cell priming platform. ncHLAp-reactive, T cell receptor-redirected T cells exhibited tumoricidal activity against patient-derived pancreatic cancer organoids. These findings demonstrate that pancreatic cancer harbors cancer-restricted ncHLAp that can be recognized by cytotoxic T cells. Future therapeutic strategies for pancreatic cancer, and potentially other solid tumors, may include targeting cryptic antigens.

MeSH terms

  • Antigen Presentation
  • Antigens, Neoplasm* / genetics
  • Antigens, Neoplasm* / immunology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I* / immunology
  • Humans
  • Organoids / immunology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / immunology
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Peptides* / immunology
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic* / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Peptides
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell