SPANX family member B1 (SPANXB1)

SPANX family member B1 (SPANXB1) is a cancer/testis antigen, normally expressed almost exclusively in testicular tissue but aberrantly activated in several human cancers, including triple negative breast cancer and hematologic malignancies. It encodes a member of the SPANX protein family, which are testis-specific proteins crucial for sperm maturation and unique spermatozoa substructures. In cancer, SPANXB1 promotes cell migration, invasion, and metastasis, and its presence in circulating extracellular vesicles suggests use as a noninvasive biomarker. Due to its highly restricted normal expression and immunogenicity, SPANXB1 is considered a promising but experimental therapeutic target, especially for immunotherapy approaches targeting cancer/testis antigens.

Other names

SPANX-BCT11.2SPANXBSPANXB2SPANXF1SPANXF2Cancer/testis antigen 11.2Cancer/testis antigen family 11, member 2Nuclear-associated protein SPAN-XbNuclear-associated protein SPAN-XfSperm protein associated with the nucleus on the X chromosome B1SPANX family, member B2SPANX family member F1SPANX family member F2SPANX family member B/FSperm protein associated with the nucleus on the X chromosome B/FSperm protein associated with the nucleus, X chromosome, family member B1

Not directly established; therapeutic targeting proposed in cancer might involve immunotherapies recognizing this antigen (e.g., as a cancer/testis antigen)