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STEAP1-targeted strategies in advanced prostate cancer: a review on therapeutic and diagnostic implications

Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases (2025)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/Objectives

Six transmembrane epithelial antigen of prostate 1 (STEAP1), a cell surface protein, is highly expressed in prostate cancer and is known to be associated with disease progression and poor prognosis. Based on its specificity for prostate cancer, significant progress has been made over the past decade to capitalize on STEAP1 as a diagnostic and treatment target, and its potential future role in prostate cancer care is of considerable interest.

Subjects/Methods

This review evaluates the current and emerging strategies targeting STEAP1, integrating findings from preclinical studies and clinical trials.

Results

This review discusses STEAP1-based diagnostics, including molecular imaging (89Zr-DFO-MSTP2109A) and liquid biopsy methods, as well as therapeutics, such as STEAP1 antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates (DSPT3086S, ADRX-0405, ABBV-969, and DXC008), chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (STEAP1 CAR-T), bispecific T-cell engagers (Xaluritamig/AMG 509, BC261), and cancer vaccines.

Conclusions

STEAP1 represents a promising diagnostic and therapeutic target in prostate cancer, and its potential role in shaping future management of the disease warrants continued investigation.

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Fig. 1: STEAP1 protein structure and function.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Medical Oncology, Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Ja Yoon Heo, Daniel Khalaf & Urban Emmenegger

  2. Department of Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Ja Yoon Heo, Daniel Khalaf & Urban Emmenegger

  3. Biological Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Minzhi Sheng, Hon S. Leong & Urban Emmenegger

  4. Department of Medical Biophysics, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Minzhi Sheng & Hon S. Leong

  5. Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Urban Emmenegger

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  4. Hon S. Leong
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Contributions

JYH drafted the sections on the introduction, clinical implications, diagnostics, and therapeutics, and prepared the tables and figures, as well as formatted the overall manuscript. MS wrote the sections on molecular mechanisms and biological roles and contributed to figure preparation. DK provided critical revision of the entire manuscript and drafted the conclusion. HSL contributed to the molecular mechanisms and roles section and reviewed the manuscript. UE, as principal investigator, supervised the project and contributed to critical revision, overall review, and guidance.

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Correspondence to Urban Emmenegger.

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Heo, J.Y., Sheng, M., Khalaf, D. et al. STEAP1-targeted strategies in advanced prostate cancer: a review on therapeutic and diagnostic implications. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41391-025-01038-8

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