The prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cell surface glycoprotein first identified in prostate cancer. It belongs to the Ly-6/thy-1 family of cell membrane proteins and is overexpressed in various cancers, including prostate, pancreatic, bladder, and gastric malignancies, while showing limited expression in normal tissues. This tumor-restricted expression makes PSCA a promising target for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
PSCA antibodies are engineered to specifically bind PSCA epitopes, enabling targeted approaches such as cancer cell detection, drug delivery, and immunotherapy. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against PSCA have been explored for imaging tumors, delivering cytotoxic agents via antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), or engaging immune cells through bispecific formats. Additionally, PSCA-targeted CAR-T cells and immunotoxins are under preclinical and clinical evaluation, showing potential in eradicating PSCA-positive tumors.
Despite its promise, challenges remain, including heterogeneity in PSCA expression across tumors, potential off-target effects, and resistance mechanisms. Ongoing research focuses on optimizing antibody specificity, combination therapies, and biomarker-driven patient stratification to enhance clinical outcomes. PSCA antibodies thus represent a versatile tool in advancing precision oncology.
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