Prostate specific membrane antigen- a target for imaging and therapy with radionuclides

Discov Med. 2010 Jan;9(44):55-61.

Abstract

Prostate cancer continues to represent a major health problem, and yet there is no effective treatment available for advanced metastatic disease. Thus, there is an urgent need for the development of more effective treatment modalities that could improve the outcome. Because prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), a transmembrane protein, is expressed by virtually all prostate cancers, and its expression is further increased in poorly differentiated, metastatic, and hormone-refractory carcinomas, it is a very attractive target. Molecules targeting PSMA can be labelled with radionuclides to become both diagnostic and/or therapeutic agents. The use of PSMA binding agents, labelled with diagnostic and therapeutic radio-isotopes, opens up the potential for a new era of personalized management of metastatic prostate cancer.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen / metabolism*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / immunology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Radioisotopes / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Radioisotopes
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen