HHLA2

HHLA2, also known as Human endogenous retrovirus-H long terminal repeat-associating protein 2, is a newly discovered immune checkpoint protein. It also has aliases like B7H7, B7-H7, and B7y. HHLA2 binds to its receptors on T cells and NK cells, inhibiting their activation and function, thereby negatively regulating the immune response. It is involved in the PD - 1/PD - L1 - related immune - regulatory pathway.
Dysregulation of HHLA2 is associated with various cancers, such as melanoma, lung cancer, and ovarian cancer. In drug development, antibodies targeting HHLA2 are being explored. Some pre - clinical studies have shown promising results, indicating that HHLA2 is a potential target for cancer immunotherapy.