Description

Product Description

Background

Tapderimotide is a synthetic immunological peptide that corresponds to amino acid residues 691–705 of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) protein. hTERT is a catalytic subunit of telomerase, an enzyme critical for maintaining telomere length and thereby enabling cells to bypass normal senescence. Telomerase activity is highly upregulated in most cancers, making it an ideal target for immunotherapeutic approaches.

Tapderimotide, also known as hTERT (691–705) peptide, has been developed as an active immunization agent that stimulates the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells expressing telomerase. As an epitope-based peptide, it is designed to bind to MHC molecules and be presented to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), thereby activating anti-tumor immune responses.

Scientific Context

Cancer immunotherapy has emerged as a transformative approach to oncology, shifting the focus from directly targeting tumor cells with cytotoxic drugs to mobilizing the body’s own immune defenses. Tapderimotide sits at the intersection of peptide vaccine technology and cancer immunology research, making it a highly valuable tool for preclinical and translational studies.

Unlike small molecules or antibodies, peptide-based immunogens such as Tapderimotide offer distinct advantages:

• High specificity for tumor-associated antigens (TAAs)

• Relatively low toxicity and reduced risk of systemic side effects

• Scalability and reproducibility in GMP manufacturing

• Versatility in combination therapies (with adjuvants, checkpoint inhibitors, or cytokines)

Research Significance

Tapderimotide is especially relevant for studies in:

• Cancer vaccines – evaluating its role as a key component in telomerase-targeting immunization.

• T cell biology – understanding CTL activation in response to tumor-associated peptide epitopes.

• Immuno-oncology drug development – serving as a model antigen in combination therapy strategies.

• Tumor immunology – exploring how telomerase-targeting peptides can overcome immune evasion.

Its sequence specificity to hTERT makes it not only a research reagent but also a translational bridge for vaccine development in oncology.

Product Specifications

Notes on Specifications

• Molecular features: The peptide’s relatively small size enables efficient synthesis and modification.

• Stability: Long-term storage stability ensures reproducibility in multi-phase studies.

• Applications: Useful for both in vitro immune activation assays and in vivo tumor challenge models.

Mechanism of Action & Research Applications

Mechanism of Action

Tapderimotide’s primary mode of action is through active immunization. Once introduced into the host, the peptide is processed by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) such as dendritic cells, which present the hTERT (691–705) epitope on MHC class I molecules. This process activates cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) that specifically recognize and kill hTERT-expressing tumor cells.

Key mechanisms include:

1. Epitope Presentation – binding to HLA-A2 molecules, facilitating T cell recognition.

2. T Cell Activation – expansion of CTLs capable of killing telomerase-positive tumor cells.

3. Immune Memory Formation – potential to establish long-lasting immune surveillance against cancer recurrence.

4. Immune Modulation – boosting overall antitumor immunity while reducing tolerance to tumor antigens.

Research Applications

1. Cancer Vaccine Development
   Tapderimotide is a model antigen in preclinical vaccine studies, often tested with adjuvants or delivery systems such as liposomes, nanoparticles, or dendritic cell vaccines.

2. Tumor Immunology Studies
   It provides a robust system to study immune recognition of tumor-associated antigens.

3. Combination Immunotherapy
   Can be combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-PD-1, anti-CTLA-4) or cytokine therapies to enhance efficacy.

4. Preclinical Animal Models
   Valuable in mouse or humanized models for assessing anti-tumor immune responses.

5. CTL Expansion Protocols
   Frequently used in vitro to stimulate and expand T cells for mechanistic studies.

6. Personalized Medicine Research
   Serves as a stepping stone for individualized immunotherapy approaches targeting hTERT variants.

Translational Value

Telomerase-targeting peptides like Tapderimotide are considered highly promising due to the universal expression of telomerase in cancers but its near-absence in most normal tissues, making it an ideal cancer immunogen.

Side Effects (For Research Context Only)

While Tapderimotide is not clinically approved, research models have identified potential immune-related reactions that should be considered:

1. Injection-Site Reactions
   Local redness, swelling, or discomfort due to immune activation.

2. Cytokine Release
   Immune activation may lead to transient fever or inflammation in animal models.

3. Autoimmune Risk
   Although unlikely, there is theoretical risk of cross-reactivity with non-malignant telomerase-expressing cells.

4. T Cell Overactivation
   Excessive stimulation of CTLs could lead to immune exhaustion or inflammatory toxicity.

5. Species-Specific Responses
   Variability in HLA restriction may affect translational reproducibility.

6. Adjuvant-Linked Toxicity
   When combined with potent adjuvants, enhanced inflammatory reactions may occur.

7. Storage/Handling Effects
   Improper handling may alter peptide conformation, reducing specificity and safety.

These side effects are hypothetical and observed only in controlled experimental contexts.

Disclaimer

For laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use.

Keywords

• Tapderimotide

• Tapderimotide CAS 1221082-45-6

• hTERT peptide vaccine

• Cancer immunotherapy peptide

• Active immunization research peptide

• Tumor-associated antigen peptide

• GMP-grade peptide for research

• Telomerase-targeting immunotherapy

• Peptide-based cancer vaccine research

• Research-use-only peptide