Lymphocyte antigen 6K (LY6K) (LY6K)

Lymphocyte antigen 6K (LY6K), also known as CO16 or Cancer/testis antigen 97 (CT97), is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cell surface protein belonging to the Ly6/uPAR family. It is characterized by a conserved LU domain and is primarily expressed in the human testis, where it plays a vital role in sperm motility and the binding of sperm to the zona pellucida. In many malignancies, including non-small cell lung cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and breast cancer, LY6K is significantly upregulated and functions as an oncogene by promoting cell proliferation, migration, and survival. Because of its restricted expression in normal tissues and high immunogenicity, LY6K is classified as a cancer-testis antigen and serves as a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. Therapeutic strategies targeting LY6K include peptide-based vaccines designed to elicit a cytotoxic T-cell response and the development of monoclonal antibodies or antibody-drug conjugates to specifically eliminate tumor cells.

Other names

CO16Cancer/testis antigen 97CT97URLC10HSJ001348Ly-6KLymphocyte antigen 6 complex locus K

Induction of antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response against cells expressing the LY6K protein; inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and metastasis by blocking LY6K-mediated signaling pathways such as ERK1/2.