Prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) is a 123 amino acid glycosylated protein that shares homology with the Thy-1/Ly-6 family of glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol GPI)-anchored cell surface antigens. The PSCA gene maps to chromosome 8q24.2 and transcripts are most prevalent in prostate and placenta. The gene encoding c-myc is also located on chromosome 8q and like PSCA, is overexpressed in a large number of prostate cancers. Transcripts for PSCA are also abundant in urothelial tumors, and levels of PSCA transcripts increase in confluent RT112 bladder carcinomas, suggesting that PSCA is a marker for urothelial and gastric tissue carcinogenesis. Among prostate cancer cell surface antigens, PSCA is expressed in over 80% of prostate carcinomas and correlates well to certain prostate cancer phenotypes such as prostate cancer bone metastates.
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