In recent years, precision treatment and diagnostic strategies for prostate cancer have continued to attract significant attention in the medical community. Recent data show that the KLK2-targeting bispecific antibody Pasritamig has demonstrated favorable antitumor activity in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and has received FDA Fast Track designation, indicating that the potential of the KLK2 target in precision immunotherapy is being clinically validated.
In this context, KLK2 and KLK3 (i.e., PSA), two key targets closely associated with prostate diseases, are becoming increasingly valuable in clinical diagnosis and the development of new therapies. Based on these targets, the cell biology division of Kyinno Biotechnology has developed a series of high-quality KLK2 / KLK3 cell lines, providing precise and efficient experimental model systems for scientific research and drug screening.
Both KLK2 and KLK3 belong to the kallikrein family of serine proteases, primarily expressed in prostate epithelial cells and regulated by androgen receptor (AR) signaling. KLK3 is the most commonly used serum biomarker for prostate cancer in clinical practice, known as PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen), while KLK2 is highly homologous to KLK3 and is also significantly expressed in prostate cancer tissues.
KLK3 (PSA) is a soluble serine protease whose primary physiological function is to degrade coagulated proteins in semen, leading to semen liquefaction and sperm release, making it an essential component of male reproductive function. PSA is produced in androgen-regulated prostate tissue and can enter the bloodstream; therefore, its serum level is commonly used to assess prostate status.
KLK2 is also highly expressed in prostate tissue. It not only participates in the activation of PSA precursors but also plays roles in extracellular matrix degradation, cell proliferation, and invasion in tumor processes. Recent studies have found that, in addition to its traditional secreted form, KLK2 also exhibits stable membrane-localized expression in certain prostate cancer cells. This provides strong support for targeted strategies against KLK2, such as bispecific antibodies, radioligand therapy, and cell-based immunotherapy.
Under prostate disease conditions (especially prostate cancer), the expression patterns of KLK2 and KLK3 change significantly: Elevated serum PSA (KLK3) levels are currently the core clinical biomarker for prostate cancer screening and therapeutic monitoring; however, PSA levels may also increase due to benign hyperplasia or prostate inflammation, so additional tests are required to improve diagnostic accuracy. High expression of KLK2 in prostate cancer tissues is associated with tumor staging, progression, and invasiveness, and persists in both hormone-sensitive and castration-resistant prostate cancer. Clinical data indicate that KLK2-targeting bispecific T-cell engager antibodies demonstrate good tolerability and antitumor activity in mCRPC patients, providing early clinical evidence for KLK2-targeted immunotherapy.
Thus, a deeper understanding of the expression and function of KLK2 and KLK3 not only helps optimize diagnostic strategies but also promotes the development and clinical translation of targeted therapies.
Current landscape of related drugs under development
Product and Service List (including membrane localization and cross-species support details) Cell List:
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These products cover a range of expression levels, membrane localization characteristics, and species origins (such as human and non-human primates). They are not only suitable for conventional cell-based experiments but also support more realistic cross-species comparisons and drug efficacy validation by better simulating target expression.
