Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) (PSMA)

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), encoded by the FOLH1 gene, is a type II transmembrane glycoprotein that functions as a glutamate carboxypeptidase [1]. While it is expressed at low levels in healthy tissues such as the salivary glands, small intestine, and kidneys, it is significantly overexpressed in prostate cancer cells and the neovasculature of various solid tumors [8]. The specific target described—PSMA peptide antigens presented on HLA class I of autologous dendritic cells—refers to an immunotherapeutic strategy where a patient's own dendritic cells are loaded with PSMA-derived peptides to prime and activate CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes [2, 7]. This approach aims to harness the immune system to recognize and eliminate PSMA-positive malignant cells. Beyond cellular vaccines, PSMA is a major target for radioligand therapy (e.g., 177Lu-PSMA-617) and diagnostic PET imaging due to its high tumor specificity and internalization upon ligand binding [3, 6].

Other names

Glutamate carboxypeptidase 2Folate hydrolase 1FOLH1GCPIIN-acetyl-L-aspartyl-L-glutamate peptidase IPSMProstate-specific membrane antigen

Induction of antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response via HLA class I-mediated peptide presentation on dendritic cells [2, 4]; also targeted via high-affinity radioligand binding and antibody-mediated delivery for imaging and therapy [3, 5].