PSA-KLH vaccine

PSA-KLH is a therapeutic cancer vaccine candidate consisting of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) protein covalently conjugated to the highly immunogenic carrier protein keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). PSA, also known as kallikrein-3, is a glycoprotein primarily produced by the prostate gland and is frequently overexpressed in prostate cancer cells, making it an ideal target for immunotherapy. Because PSA is a self-antigen, the immune system is often tolerant to it; the conjugation to KLH is intended to break this tolerance by providing potent T-cell help and stimulating a robust immune response. Typically administered with an adjuvant such as QS-21, the vaccine aims to induce both humoral (antibody) and cellular (T-cell) immune responses against PSA-expressing malignant cells. The vaccine has primarily been investigated for patients with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer following surgery or radiation.

Other names

PSA-KLH conjugateprostate-specific antigen-keyhole limpet hemocyanin vaccinePSA-KLH plus QS-21