Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-specific monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of prostate and other cancers

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a cell surface glycoprotein th at is expressed by prostate epithelial cells. PSMA-specific monoclonal anti bodies have been utilized to characterize the biologic function and in vivo biodistribution of PSMA. PSMA is an attractive target protein for monoclon al antibody directed imaging or therapeutics for prostate cancer since its expression is relatively restricted to prostate epithelial cells and is ove r-expressed in prostate cancer, including in advanced stages. Currently, cl inical usage of PSMA specific monoclonal antibodies has been limited to dia gnostic immunohistochemistry and imaging of patients with prostate cancer. Novel applications for these antibodies will be discussed.