Tumor-associated antigens from prostate cancer cells (TAA (Prostate))

Tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) from prostate cancer cells are a diverse group of proteins that are either uniquely expressed or significantly overexpressed in malignant prostate tissue compared to normal cells (Frontiers in Oncology, 2019; PMC4440438). These antigens serve as the primary molecular targets for a wide range of therapeutic strategies, including radioligand therapy, cancer vaccines, and adoptive cell therapies (MDPI Cancers, 2023; Cancer Research Institute). The most prominent TAAs in prostate cancer include Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA), Prostatic Acid Phosphatase (PAP), and Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) (Journal of Translational Genetics and Genomics, 2024). PSMA is a cell-surface peptidase that is highly upregulated in advanced and metastatic disease, making it an ideal target for delivering radioactive isotopes like Lutetium-177 (Pluvicto) or for T-cell redirection via bispecific antibodies (Nature Reviews Urology, 2021). PAP is the target of Sipuleucel-T, the first FDA-approved autologous cellular immunotherapy, which works by priming a patient's immune system to recognize the antigen (NIH/NCI). PSA, while primarily a serum biomarker for disease monitoring, has also been explored as a target for therapeutic vaccines like PROSTVAC (Clinical Cancer Research). Other emerging targets within this group include Prostate Stem Cell Antigen (PSCA) and Six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate 1 (STEAP1), which are currently being explored in clinical trials for CAR-T and bispecific antibody therapies (Frontiers in Immunology). While targeting these antigens offers high specificity for tumor cells, therapeutic challenges include "on-target, off-tumor" toxicities in tissues like the salivary glands and kidneys, as well as the potential for tumors to escape treatment by downregulating antigen expression (Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 2022).

Other names

Prostate cancer antigensProstate tumor antigensProstate-specific antigensProstate-associated antigens

Targeted radioligand therapy, autologous cellular immunotherapy, viral vector-based vaccination, bispecific T-cell engagement, and antibody-drug conjugation.