B-cell and other lymphocyte surface antigens

B-cell and other lymphocyte surface antigens represent a broad category of proteins expressed on the plasma membranes of various immune cell lineages, including B-cells, T-cells, and natural killer cells. These antigens, typically identified by Cluster of Differentiation (CD) nomenclature, are essential for mediating immune signaling, cell-cell interactions, and the regulation of the adaptive immune system (Source: NIH National Cancer Institute). In the context of pharmacology, these antigens serve as critical targets for a wide array of therapies, including monoclonal antibodies, bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTEs), and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies. For example, CD20 and CD19 are primary targets for treating B-cell malignancies such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, as well as autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis (Source: StatPearls, Rituximab). By targeting these specific markers, drugs can selectively deplete pathogenic cell populations through mechanisms like antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) or complement-mediated lysis (Source: PubMed, PMID: 28804557). However, because many of these antigens are also expressed on healthy lymphocytes, treatment often results in significant side effects such as prolonged immunosuppression and cytokine release syndrome (Source: PubMed, PMID: 30232618). This term is considered a collective classification rather than a single molecular entity, reflecting the diverse array of surface proteins used to identify and therapeuticially address lymphocyte-derived pathologies.

Other names

Lymphocyte surface markersCluster of Differentiation antigensCD antigensB-cell surface antigensT-lymphocyte surface antigensLymphocyte-specific surface proteins

Therapeutic agents bind to specific surface antigens to induce antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), direct apoptosis, or to deliver cytotoxic payloads and redirect T-cell activity against the target cell.