Prostate cancer antigens (PCA)

Prostate cancer antigens are a diverse group of proteins and glycoproteins that are either uniquely expressed or significantly upregulated in prostate tissue and malignant cells (Wang et al., 2020, PMID: 32830346). These antigens, which include Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA), Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA), and Prostatic Acid Phosphatase (PAP), play various biological roles ranging from proteolysis and nutrient uptake to cell signaling (Lilja et al., 2008, PMID: 18711361). In the context of disease, they serve as vital biomarkers for screening, staging, and monitoring the progression of prostate adenocarcinoma (Hofman et al., 2021, PMID: 34166618). Therapeutically, these antigens are exploited as docking sites for targeted treatments; for instance, PSMA is the target for radioligand therapies like 177Lu-vipivotide tetraxetan, which delivers localized radiation to tumor cells (Pritchard et al., 2021, PMID: 33458164). Additionally, PAP is utilized in cellular immunotherapies like Sipuleucel-T to stimulate a patient's immune system against malignant cells (Kantoff et al., 2010, PMID: 20660401). While these antigens provide high specificity for prostate tissue, therapeutic challenges include the heterogeneity of antigen expression across different metastatic sites and potential off-target toxicity in organs such as the salivary glands and kidneys (Bander et al., 2005, PMID: 16278470).

Other names

Tumor-associated antigens of the prostateProstate-specific antigensProstate-associated antigens

Targeted delivery of radionuclides, induction of antigen-specific T-cell immune responses, and enzymatic cleavage of substrates for diagnostic imaging.