PSMA, or prostate-specific membrane antigen, is a protein found on the surface of normal prostate cells, but it is found in higher amounts on prostate cancer cells. It is present in more than 80% of prostate cancer cells in men with prostate cancer. PSMA has been the subject of extensive research in prostate cancer treatment development. PSMA is currently used as a target for imaging to diagnose metastatic or recurrent prostate cancer. However, it is also being utilized in clinical trials as a target for medications that can treat prostate cancer.
How is PSMA targeted for treating prostate cancer?
Targeting PSMA proteins on a prostate cancer cell enables active treatments against prostate cancer to be focused on the cancer cell itself, instead of on normal healthy cells in the body. This provides a precision medicine approach to treatment for patients. PSMA treatments will be made available to patients who have PSMA protein detected on their cancer cells using a PSMA PET scan.