Molecular Classification
Immunoglobulin superfamily, Transmembrane glycoprotein
Other Names
GP40, LEU-9, TP41, Tp40, CD7 molecule
Disease Roles
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (T-lineage)Refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB)Mycosis fungoides

CD7 antigen Overview

CD7 is a transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. It is expressed on thymocytes, mature T lymphocytes, NK cells, and a subset of pre-B lymphocytes. CD7 plays a crucial role in T-cell interactions, early lymphoid development, and costimulatory signaling during T-cell activation. It serves as an immunohistochemical marker for T-lineage malignancies and aberrant expression patterns are associated with specific myeloid disorders and cutaneous T-cell lymphomas. CD7 is also being explored as a target for CAR-T cell therapy in aggressive leukemias.

Mechanism of Action

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) therapies targeting CD7

Biological Functions

T-cell activation
Costimulation
Regulation of cytokine production
Early lymphoid development

Disease Associations

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (T-lineage)
Refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB)
Mycosis fungoides
Sezary syndrome
Sezary leukemia
HTLV-I+ adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma

Safety Considerations

  • Potential for on-target, off-tumor toxicity in CAR-T cell therapy

Associated Biomarkers

Biomarker
CD7 expression levels in leukemia/lymphoma cells
Loss of CD7 expression in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma