HOXB7 8-25 is a novel Homeobox B7 (HOXB7) derived peptide epitope, identified as having the potential to bind to multiple HLA-DRs (DR1, 4, 7, 11, and 15) and target HOXB7 expressing tumours through immune cells. HOXB7 is a master regulatory gene that regulates cell proliferation and activates oncogenic pathways, and overexpression of HOXB7 correlates with poor prognosis in cancer. In human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) tissue HOXB7 8-25 shows direct cytotoxicity and antigen specific and tumour reactive promiscuous CD4+ T cell responses, producing i-interferon and directly killing tumours through granzyme B. HOXB7 is thus demonstrated to be a potential target for cancer immunotherapy,
