834 MHCepitopes: a comprehensive database of experimentally alidated MHC-restricted epitopes for antigen-specific cancer immunotherapy

<h3>Background</h3> Cancer immunotherapy represents a paradigm shift in oncology, offering superior antitumor efficacy and the potential for durable remission. The success of personalized vaccines and cell therapies hinges on the identification of immunogenic epitopes capable of eliciting an effective immune response. Current limitations in the availability of immunogenic epitopes restrict the broader application of such therapies. <h3>Methods</h3> A critical criterion for potential cancer antigens is their ability to stably bind to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) for presentation on the surface of tumor cells. To address this, we have developed a comprehensive database of MHC epitopes, experimentally validated for their MHC binding and cell surface presentation. <h3>Results</h3> Our database catalogues 451,065 MHC peptide epitopes, each with experimental evidence for MHC binding, along with detailed information on HLA allele specificity, source peptides, and references to original studies. We also provide, for the first time, data on grand average of hydropathy scores and predicted immunogenicity for these epitopes. The database (MHCepitopes) has been made publicly available and can be accessed online. <h3>Conclusions</h3> By consolidating empirical data from various sources, coupled with calculated immunogenicity and hydropathy values, our database offers a robust resource for selecting actionable tumor antigens and advancing the design of antigen-specific cancer immunotherapies. It streamlines the process of identifying promising immunotherapeutic targets, potentially expediting the development of effective antigen-based cancer treatments.