Serine Protease Inhibitor Kazal-Type 1 (SPINK1) is a trypsin inhibitor that prevent the trypsin-catalyzed premature activation of zymogens within the pancreas. Defects in SPINK1 are a cause of pancreatitis (PCTT). A disease characterized by the presence of calculi in pancreatic ducts. It causes severe abdominal pain attacks. Defects in SPINK1 are the cause of susceptibility to tropical calcific pancreatitis (TCP). Recombinant SPINK1 protein (rSPINK1) stimulated cell proliferation in benign RWPE as well as cancerous prostate cells. The research result indicated that the potential of SPINK1 as an extracellular therapeutic target in prostate cancer. In contrast, knockdown of SPINK1 in 22RV1 cells inhibited cell proliferation, cell invasion, and tumor growth in xenograft assays.
