Autoantibodies Targeting Prostate-specific Antigen: Implications in Prostate Cancer – A Narrative Review

Abstract

Abstract Prostate cancer ranks second among cancers affecting men, surpassed only by lung cancer, with predominant occurrence in men over 55 years old. Primary screening method, serum total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, lacks specificity as elevated PSA levels can occur in benign prostate conditions and other cancers such as breast, lung, and salivary gland. Furthermore, the sensitivity of PSA in prediction of prostate cancer ranges from 9% to 33%. Consequently, there is an urgent demand for precise screening tests and innovative therapeutic approaches for prostate cancer. This review explores the emerging role of PSA autoantibodies in prostate cancer diagnosis and management, alongside the development of novel vaccines utilizing these antibodies against prostate cancer cells. Literature search spanned from October 1987 to September 2023 across databases including PubMed, SCOPUS, and EMBASE, encompassing numerous English peer-reviewed journals. Additional data were gathered from agencies, including WHO and ICMR, for updated global and Indian figures on prostate cancer. Key search terms included “Prostate cancer incidence and screening,” “Prostate-Specific antigen,” “PSA autoantibodies,” “New diagnostic techniques for prostate cancer,” and “Vaccines for prostate cancer.” Hence, PSA autoantibodies exhibit promising potential for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in prostate cancer. Unlike conventional PSA test alone, PSA autoantibodies in combination with PSA offer enhanced specificity and sensitivity of 79% and 84% in detecting prostate cancer. Their integration into screening protocols could significantly improve early detection rates and enable timely intervention. Furthermore, the development of vaccines utilizing PSA autoantibodies marks a notable advancement in prostate cancer treatment, holding promise for more targeted and effective therapeutic strategies.