Kallikrein-related peptidase 3 (KLK3) (KLK3)

Kallikrein-related peptidase 3 (KLK3), widely known as Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA), is a serine protease primarily synthesized by the epithelial cells of the prostate gland. Its main biological function is the liquefaction of the seminal coagulum by cleaving semenogelins, a process essential for male fertility. In clinical oncology, KLK3 is the most extensively used biomarker for the screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of prostate cancer, as its serum levels typically rise during malignancy. The target designation "Keyhole limpet hemocyanin / KLK3-related antigen carrier" refers to the use of Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH), a highly immunogenic mollusk protein, as a carrier to enhance the immune response against KLK3-derived antigens in cancer vaccines. KLH acts as a potent adjuvant to overcome the immune system's natural tolerance to PSA, which is a self-antigen. Therapeutic strategies targeting KLK3 include the viral vector vaccine PROSTVAC and various experimental PSA-KLH conjugate vaccines, which are designed to induce a T-cell mediated immune response to selectively destroy PSA-expressing tumor cells.

Other names

Prostate-specific antigenPSAGamma-seminoproteinSemininP-30 antigenKallikrein-3hK3

Induction of a T-cell mediated immune response against PSA-expressing cells through the use of immunogenic carriers (like KLH) and viral vectors to overcome self-tolerance.