Background of the antigen
PSA, prostate specific antigen, is the classic indicator for transformed pro-state tissue; however, in addition to being upregulated in prostate cancer, PSA is also upregulated in non-malignant conditions, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia. Prostein, also designated Prostate cancer-associated protein 6, is a prostate-specific, 553 amino acid transmembrane protein that is upregulated by androgens. It is considered a marker for prostate cells since it is expressed in all prostatic glandular cells as well as in normal and cancerous prostate tissues. Since it is able to elicit a tumor-directed cytotoxic T cell response, Prostein may be used as a target for the development of PSA- and T cell-based therapeutic strategies for prostate cancer.
