Lewis X (CD15) carbohydrate epitope (CD15)

CD15, also known as Lewis X (LeX) or Stage-Specific Embryonic Antigen 1 (SSEA-1), is a carbohydrate epitope characterized by the trisaccharide structure 3-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine [1][2]. It is predominantly expressed on the surface of mature granulocytes, where it facilitates essential immune processes such as cell-cell adhesion, phagocytosis, and chemotaxis [3]. In the field of oncology, CD15 serves as a hallmark diagnostic biomarker for Reed-Sternberg cells in Hodgkin lymphoma and is also found in various adenocarcinomas and myeloid leukemias [4]. Although its primary utility is diagnostic, CD15 has been investigated as a therapeutic target for radioimmunotherapy and monoclonal antibody-based treatments, particularly in acute myeloid leukemia [5]. However, its therapeutic application is complicated by its presence on normal hematopoietic cells, which can lead to significant side effects like neutropenia [6]. The synthesis of this epitope is regulated by specific fucosyltransferases, notably FUT4 and FUT9, which are critical for the proper recruitment of leukocytes during inflammatory responses [7].

Other names

Lewis XLeX3-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamineSSEA-1Stage-specific embryonic antigen 13-FLFAL

Binding to the carbohydrate epitope on the cell surface to facilitate diagnostic identification or targeted delivery of cytotoxic agents and radioisotopes.