CD48 antigen (CD48) (CD48)

CD48 antigen (CD48) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cell surface glycoprotein and a member of the Signaling Lymphocytic Activation Molecule (SLAM) family (UniProt P09326). It is constitutively expressed on most hematopoietic cells, including B cells, T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and monocytes, where it functions as a high-affinity ligand for 2B4 (CD244) and a low-affinity ligand for CD2 (PubMed: 10449775). These interactions are vital for regulating immune cell adhesion, activation, and cytolytic activity. In clinical oncology, CD48 is significantly upregulated on the surface of malignant plasma cells in multiple myeloma and certain types of lymphoma, providing a therapeutic window for targeted intervention (PubMed: 31694901). Therapeutic strategies primarily involve antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) like SGN-CD48A, which utilize the receptor's internalizing properties to deliver cytotoxic agents directly into tumor cells. Despite its promise, the broad expression of CD48 across the hematopoietic lineage poses challenges regarding potential myelosuppression and other on-target off-tumor toxicities. Beyond oncology, CD48 is implicated in inflammatory diseases like asthma, where it may modulate allergic responses (PubMed: 17438350).

Other names

Signaling lymphocytic activation molecule 2SLAMF2B-lymphocyte activation markerBLAST-1BCM1 surface antigenMEM-102

Antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) mediated cell killing via DNA alkylation or microtubule disruption; Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC); Inhibition of ligand binding to CD2 or 2B4.