Identification and Structural Characterization of a mutant KRAS-G12V specific TCR restricted by HLA-A3

Mutations in KRAS are some of the most common across multiple cancer types and are thus attractive targets for therapy. Recent studies demonstrated that mutant KRAS generates immunogenic neoantigens that can be targeted in adoptive T cell therapy in metastatic diseases. To expand mutant KRAS specific immunotherapies, it is critical to identify additional HLA-I allotypes that can present KRAS neoantigens and their cognate T cell receptors (TCR). Here, we identified a murine TCR specific to a KRAS-G12V neoantigen (7VVVGAVGVGK16) using a vaccination approach with transgenic mice expressing the common HLA-I allotype, HLA-A*03:01 (HLA-A3). This TCR demonstrated exquisite specificity for mutant G12V and not Wt KRAS peptides. To investigate the molecular basis for neoantigen recognition by This TCR, we determined its structure in complex with HLA-A3(G12V). G12V-TCR CDR3{beta} and CDR1 {beta} formed a hydrophobic pocket to interact with p6 Val of the G12V but not Wt KRAS peptide. To improve the tumor sensitivity of This TCR, we designed rational substitutions to improve TCR:HLA-A3 contacts. Two substitutions exhibited modest improvements in TCR binding to HLA-A3 (G12V), but did not sufficiently improve T cell sensitivity for further clinical development. Our study provides mechanistic insight into how TCRs detect neoantigens and reveals the challenges in targeting KRAS-G12V mutations. [203]