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Neo-Antigen

Meaning

A neo-antigen is a novel protein fragment, or peptide, presented on the surface of a cancer cell that has arisen from a tumor-specific somatic mutation in the cell’s DNA. Unlike self-antigens, which are tolerated by the immune system, neo-antigens are recognized as foreign by the host’s T-cells, making them highly immunogenic. Their unique, non-self nature makes them ideal targets for personalized cancer immunotherapy, including therapeutic vaccines. While primarily an oncology term, the immune system’s response to these antigens is modulated by the overall endocrine environment, linking it to the broader health and longevity space.