PSMA

PSMA or Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen is a type of protein that is often found on the surface of prostate cancer cells. It is also present in other types of tissues, but its expression is significantly higher in prostate cancer, making it a valuable target for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Overview

PSMA is a type II transmembrane glycoprotein that is encoded by the FOLH1 (Folate Hydrolase 1) gene in humans. It is also known as Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II (GCPII). Despite its name, PSMA is not specific to the prostate and can be found in other tissues such as the kidneys, small intestine, and the central nervous system. However, its expression is significantly upregulated in prostate cancer, particularly in more aggressive and metastatic forms of the disease.

Role in Prostate Cancer

In prostate cancer, PSMA expression is correlated with disease progression. It is minimally expressed in normal prostate tissue, moderately expressed in primary prostate cancer, and highly expressed in metastatic disease and hormone-refractory prostate cancer. This pattern of expression makes PSMA a valuable target for the detection and treatment of prostate cancer.

Diagnostic Use

PSMA can be used as a target for molecular imaging of prostate cancer. Radiolabeled PSMA ligands can bind to PSMA on the surface of prostate cancer cells, allowing for the detection of the disease using positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. This approach can help identify the location and extent of prostate cancer, even in cases where other imaging methods are not effective.

Therapeutic Use

Therapies targeting PSMA are being developed for the treatment of prostate cancer. These include radioligand therapies, which deliver a dose of radiation directly to the cancer cells, and antibody-drug conjugates, which deliver a cytotoxic drug to the cancer cells. Both of these approaches have shown promise in clinical trials, particularly for patients with advanced or metastatic prostate cancer.

See Also

• Prostate cancer
• Radioligand therapy
• Antibody-drug conjugates

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