Intron retention is a source of neoepitopes in cancer

Neoepitopes derived from intron retention events are processed and presented on MHC I in cancer cell lines. We present an in silico approach to identifying neoepitopes derived from intron retention events in tumor transcriptomes. Using mass spectrometry immunopeptidome analysis, we show that retained intron neoepitopes are processed and presented on MHC I on the surface of cancer cell lines. RNA-derived neoepitopes should be considered for prospective personalized cancer vaccine development.