Prostate tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) (TAAs)

Prostate tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) are a diverse group of proteins, including Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA), Prostatic Acid Phosphatase (PAP), and Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA), that are overexpressed in prostate cancer cells (Madsen et al., 2002, Cancer Immunol Immunother). These antigens serve as targets for immunotherapies designed to stimulate the host immune system to recognize and eliminate malignant cells. The mechanism of antigen presentation via MHC I/II involves the processing of these TAAs by antigen-presenting cells, which then display peptide fragments on Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Class I and II molecules to activate CD8+ cytotoxic T cells and CD4+ helper T cells, respectively (Slingluff, 2011, Cancer J). This dual activation is essential for generating a robust, multi-faceted immune response against the tumor. Clinical examples of therapies utilizing this approach include Sipuleucel-T, which targets PAP, and PROSTVAC, a viral vector vaccine targeting PSA (Kantoff et al., 2010, NEJM; Gulley et al., 2019, Cancer Immunol Res). While these therapies are generally well-tolerated, they face challenges such as the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and the need for effective antigen delivery systems (NCI, 2023).

Other names

Prostate cancer antigensTumor-associated antigensProstate-specific antigen (PSA)Prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP)Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)Six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate 1 (STEAP1)

Induction of an adaptive immune response through the processing and presentation of tumor-specific peptides on MHC Class I and II molecules to activate CD8+ cytotoxic T cells and CD4+ helper T cells.