CD Markers

CD = Cluster of Differentiation

CD Marker Normal Expression / Lineage Associated Malignancies Targeted Therapy Key Clinical Notes
CD1a Cortical thymocytes (immature T-cells) T-ALL None (diagnostic only) Helps identify cortical T-ALL
CD2 T-cells, NK cells T-ALL, T-cell NHL None (diagnostic) Early T-cell marker
CD3 Mature T-cells T-ALL, Peripheral T-cell lymphoma None (diagnostic) Pan–T-cell marker
CD4 Helper T-cells T-cell lymphomas None (diagnostic) Subclassifies T-cell neoplasms
CD5 T-cells, subset of B-cells CLL, Mantle cell lymphoma None (diagnostic) CD5+ B-cell disease is characteristic of CLL/MCL
CD7 T-cells T-ALL None (diagnostic) Early T-cell marker
CD8 Cytotoxic T-cells Cytotoxic T-cell lymphomas None (diagnostic) Helps define T-cell subtype
CD10 (CALLA) Early B-cells, germinal center B-cells B-ALL, Follicular lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma None (diagnostic) Important in germinal center phenotype
CD15 (Lewis X) Myeloid cells, Reed–Sternberg cells Classical Hodgkin lymphoma None (diagnostic) RS cells: CD15+ CD30+
CD16 NK cells, neutrophils NK-cell leukemias/lymphomas None (diagnostic) Cytotoxic marker
CD19 B-cells (early → mature) B-ALL, CLL, DLBCL, other B-cell NHL Blinatumomab, Tisagenlecleucel Universal B-lineage marker
CD20 Mature B-cells CLL, DLBCL, Follicular lymphoma Rituximab, Obinutuzumab Absent in early B-ALL
CD22 Mature B-cells B-ALL, B-cell NHL Inotuzumab ozogamicin Risk of VOD
CD23 Activated B-cells CLL None (diagnostic) Helps distinguish CLL (CD23+) vs MCL
CD25 Activated T & B cells (IL-2 receptor α) Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma None standard Seen in HTLV-1–associated ATLL
CD30 Activated B/T cells Classical Hodgkin lymphoma, ALCL Brentuximab vedotin Targetable RS marker
CD33 Myeloid lineage AML Gemtuzumab ozogamicin Used in CD33+ AML
CD34 Hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells AML, ALL None (diagnostic) Stem cell / MRD marker
CD38 Plasma cells, activated lymphocytes Multiple myeloma, AL amyloidosis Daratumumab Interferes with blood typing
CD43 Leukocytes T-cell neoplasms None (diagnostic) Adjunct marker
CD45 All leukocytes ALL, AML, NHL None (diagnostic) Pan-leukocyte antigen
CD56 NK cells, subset plasma cells NK/T-cell lymphoma, some myeloma None (diagnostic) Associated with aggressive disease in MM
CD57 NK cells, cytotoxic T-cells NK/T-cell neoplasms None (diagnostic) Cytotoxic marker
CD71 Proliferating cells (transferrin receptor) Some leukemias None (investigational) Proliferation marker
CD79a B-cell lineage B-ALL, B-cell NHL None (diagnostic) Useful when CD20 negative
CD79b B-cell lineage DLBCL, B-cell NHL Polatuzumab vedotin Used in R/R DLBCL
CD117 (c-KIT) Myeloid progenitors AML, GIST Targeted indirectly by Imatinib (mutation-driven) Prognostic in AML
CD123 (IL-3Rα) Plasmacytoid dendritic cells Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm Tagraxofusp Rare but highly specific
CD138 (Syndecan-1) Plasma cells Multiple myeloma None (diagnostic) Standard MM biopsy marker

 

Key Therapeutic Targets (ADC / mAb)

Target Drug Example Indications
CD19 Tisagenlecleucel (CAR-T), Blinatumomab B-ALL; some NHL
CD20 Rituximab, Obinutuzumab, Ofatumumab CLL, NHL
CD22 Inotuzumab ozogamicin Relapsed B-ALL
CD30 Brentuximab vedotin Hodgkin lymphoma, ALCL
CD33 Gemtuzumab ozogamicin CD33+ AML
CD38 Daratumumab Multiple myeloma
CD79b Polatuzumab vedotin Relapsed/refractory DLBCL

 

Diagnostic vs Therapeutic Markers

  • Diagnostic: CD10, CD15, CD45, CD34, CD79a, CD3
  • Therapeutic Targets: CD19, CD20, CD22, CD30, CD33, CD38, CD79b

Most Clinically Targeted CDs

 

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