Chiraphapphaiboon W.Luangwattananun P.Chieochansin T.Samutpradit D.Hengswat P.Areesawangkit P.Phikulsod P.Sumransub N.Sukpanichnant S.Junking M.Yenchitsomanus P.t.Mahidol University2023-12-082023-12-082023-01-01Advanced Therapeutics (2023)https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/91312Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable hematologic malignancy for which curative treatment remains elusive. Consequently, immunotherapeutic strategies that selectively induce MM-specific T cell responses by targeting MM-associated antigens have emerged. This study aims to identify HLA-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes derived from B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) as potential peptide vaccine candidates to advance preventive and therapeutic interventions for MM. BCMA expression in bone marrow tissue samples from 96.8% of MM patients is observed, and the positive membrane BCMA expression is associated with inferior overall survival outcomes. Through an in silico model, four BCMA epitope peptides that exhibit in vitro concentration-dependent binding to the HLA*A11:01 molecule are identified. Comparative analyses reveal that BCMA-specific CTLs stimulated by BCMA-2, BCMA-3, and BCMA-4 peptides exhibit significantly greater cytolysis of cancer cells, including BCMA-overexpressing KMS-20 and KKU-055 cells, in comparison to an unpulsed condition or an irrelevant control peptide derived from human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1). Moreover, the observed cytolytic activities of these CTLs are significantly distinct when compared to corresponding BCMA-negative cells, thereby indicating antigen-specificity. This study highlights the promising potential of utilizing immunogenic HLA-A*11:01-restricted BCMA peptides as a viable approach for cancer vaccination and T cell-based therapy in the context of MM.MedicineArticleSCOPUS10.1002/adtp.2023002082-s2.0-8517785498023663987