CD27–CD70 costimulatory pathway (CD27/CD70)

The CD27–CD70 costimulatory pathway is a key immune-regulatory axis belonging to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor and ligand superfamilies (Wikipedia, UniProt). CD27 is a type I transmembrane receptor primarily expressed on T cells, B cells, and NK cells, while its ligand, CD70, is a type II transmembrane protein whose expression is strictly limited to activated lymphocytes and dendritic cells (GeneCards, UniProt). The interaction between CD27 and CD70 provides critical signals for the expansion and survival of antigen-specific T cells and the differentiation of B cells into plasma cells (AACR, NIH). In various malignancies, CD70 is frequently overexpressed, contributing to tumor progression and immune evasion by promoting an immunosuppressive microenvironment and inducing T-cell apoptosis (NIH, ResearchGate). Therapeutic interventions targeting this pathway include CD27 agonistic antibodies designed to boost anti-tumor immunity and CD70-targeted agents, such as antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and CAR-T cells, aimed at direct tumor cell depletion (Frontiers, ResearchGate). This pathway is also being explored as a target in autoimmune diseases and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) where blocking the interaction may attenuate pathological immune responses (Frontiers, PatSnap).

Other names

CD27-CD70 axisCD27-CD70 signaling pathwayTNFRSF7-TNFSF7 pathwayCD27-CD70 interactionTumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 7Tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 7

Agonism of CD27 to enhance T-cell costimulation; Antagonism or depletion of CD70-expressing cells via ADCC, ADC, or CAR-T cell therapy.