B-lymphocyte antigen CD37 (CD37)

B-lymphocyte antigen CD37 (CD37) is a transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the tetraspanin (TM4SF) superfamily, characterized by four hydrophobic domains that facilitate the organization of specialized membrane microdomains known as tetraspanin-enriched microdomains (TERMs) [1, 8]. It is predominantly expressed on the surface of mature B cells, from the pre-B stage to peripheral mature B cells, but is notably absent on early hematopoietic progenitors and terminally differentiated plasma cells [6, 7]. CD37 plays a vital role in B-cell physiology by regulating signal transduction, cell-cell interactions (particularly T-cell-B-cell interactions), and integrin-mediated adhesion and migration [1, 4, 5]. In the context of oncology, CD37 is highly expressed in various B-cell malignancies, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and has recently emerged as a promising target in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) [7, 9, 11]. Therapeutic agents targeting CD37, such as monoclonal antibodies (e.g., Otlertuzumab), antibody-drug conjugates (e.g., Naratuximab emtansine), and CAR-T cells, exploit its high expression and efficient internalization capacity to induce tumor cell death through apoptosis and immune-mediated mechanisms [5, 9, 13]. Furthermore, CD37 has been identified as a potential tumor suppressor, where its loss or downregulation can lead to constitutive IL-6 signaling and promote lymphomagenesis [8, 14].

Other names

Tetraspanin-26TSPAN26GP52-40Leukocyte antigen CD37Cell differentiation antigen 37

Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP), complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), induction of apoptosis, inhibition of survival signaling (Akt pathway), and targeted delivery of cytotoxic payloads via antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs).