CD markers, also known as CD antigens, are specific types of molecules found on the surface of cells that help differentiate one cell type from another. In fact, the initials “CD” stands for “cluster of differentiation,” the nomenclature of which was first established in 1982.
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While some people may be familiar with the terms CD4 and CD8, which differentiate defensive immune cells known asT-cells, there are no less than 371 known CD antigens that “tag” virtually every cell of the body, providing each its own unique marker.
What CD Markers Tell Us
CD Markers in Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
In addition to monitoring infection and immune status, CD antigens can be used to detect the abnormal growth of cells known as aneoplasm. Neoplasms may be benign (noncancerous), malignant (cancerous), or precancerous, but, like any other cell, have CD markers that scientists can use to identify them.
Outside of the body, mAbs are commonly used in diagnosis to detect specific CD antigens in blood, tissue, or body fluid samples.
Targeted Immunotherapy for Cancer
Monoclonal antibodies are today used to treat many different diseases, including someautoimmune disordersand certain types of cancer. Their effectiveness can vary, with some cancers responding better than others.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Engel P, Boumsell L, Balderas R, et al.Cd nomenclature 2015: human leukocyte differentiation antigen workshops as a driving force in immunology.The Journal of Immunology. 2015;195(10):4555-4563. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.1502033Nicholson LB.The immune system.Essays Biochem. 2016;60(3):275-301. doi:10.1042/EBC20160017Routy JP, Isnard S.Beyond the Absence of CD4 T-Cell Count: A Novel Genetic CD4 T-Cell Deficiency Disorder With a Contingency Plan.J Infect Dis. 2021;223(4):547-549. doi:10.1093/infdis/jiab026National Cancer Institute.Definition of Neoplasm.Shahrabi S, Ghanavat M, Behzad MM, Purrahman D, Saki N.CD markers polymorphisms as prognostic biomarkers in hematological malignancies.Oncol Rev. 2020;14(2):466. doi:10.4081/oncol.2020.466U.S. National Library of Medicine.Understanding How Monoclonal Antibodies Work.Zahavi D, Weiner L.Monoclonal Antibodies in Cancer Therapy.Antibodies (Basel). 2020;9(3):34. doi:10.3390/antib9030034National Cancer Institute.CAR T Cells: Engineering Patients’ Immune Cells to Treat Their Cancers.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.List of Targeted Therapy Drugs Approved for Specific Types of Cancer.Additional ReadingAmerican Cancer Society.Monoclonal antibodies to treat cancer.Vanneman M, Dranoff G.Combining immunotherapy and targeted therapies in cancer treatment.Nat Rev Cancer. 2012;12(4):237-51. doi:10.1038/nrc3237.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Engel P, Boumsell L, Balderas R, et al.Cd nomenclature 2015: human leukocyte differentiation antigen workshops as a driving force in immunology.The Journal of Immunology. 2015;195(10):4555-4563. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.1502033Nicholson LB.The immune system.Essays Biochem. 2016;60(3):275-301. doi:10.1042/EBC20160017Routy JP, Isnard S.Beyond the Absence of CD4 T-Cell Count: A Novel Genetic CD4 T-Cell Deficiency Disorder With a Contingency Plan.J Infect Dis. 2021;223(4):547-549. doi:10.1093/infdis/jiab026National Cancer Institute.Definition of Neoplasm.Shahrabi S, Ghanavat M, Behzad MM, Purrahman D, Saki N.CD markers polymorphisms as prognostic biomarkers in hematological malignancies.Oncol Rev. 2020;14(2):466. doi:10.4081/oncol.2020.466U.S. National Library of Medicine.Understanding How Monoclonal Antibodies Work.Zahavi D, Weiner L.Monoclonal Antibodies in Cancer Therapy.Antibodies (Basel). 2020;9(3):34. doi:10.3390/antib9030034National Cancer Institute.CAR T Cells: Engineering Patients’ Immune Cells to Treat Their Cancers.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.List of Targeted Therapy Drugs Approved for Specific Types of Cancer.Additional ReadingAmerican Cancer Society.Monoclonal antibodies to treat cancer.Vanneman M, Dranoff G.Combining immunotherapy and targeted therapies in cancer treatment.Nat Rev Cancer. 2012;12(4):237-51. doi:10.1038/nrc3237.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Engel P, Boumsell L, Balderas R, et al.Cd nomenclature 2015: human leukocyte differentiation antigen workshops as a driving force in immunology.The Journal of Immunology. 2015;195(10):4555-4563. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.1502033Nicholson LB.The immune system.Essays Biochem. 2016;60(3):275-301. doi:10.1042/EBC20160017Routy JP, Isnard S.Beyond the Absence of CD4 T-Cell Count: A Novel Genetic CD4 T-Cell Deficiency Disorder With a Contingency Plan.J Infect Dis. 2021;223(4):547-549. doi:10.1093/infdis/jiab026National Cancer Institute.Definition of Neoplasm.Shahrabi S, Ghanavat M, Behzad MM, Purrahman D, Saki N.CD markers polymorphisms as prognostic biomarkers in hematological malignancies.Oncol Rev. 2020;14(2):466. doi:10.4081/oncol.2020.466U.S. National Library of Medicine.Understanding How Monoclonal Antibodies Work.Zahavi D, Weiner L.Monoclonal Antibodies in Cancer Therapy.Antibodies (Basel). 2020;9(3):34. doi:10.3390/antib9030034National Cancer Institute.CAR T Cells: Engineering Patients’ Immune Cells to Treat Their Cancers.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.List of Targeted Therapy Drugs Approved for Specific Types of Cancer.
Engel P, Boumsell L, Balderas R, et al.Cd nomenclature 2015: human leukocyte differentiation antigen workshops as a driving force in immunology.The Journal of Immunology. 2015;195(10):4555-4563. doi:10.4049/jimmunol.1502033
Nicholson LB.The immune system.Essays Biochem. 2016;60(3):275-301. doi:10.1042/EBC20160017
Routy JP, Isnard S.Beyond the Absence of CD4 T-Cell Count: A Novel Genetic CD4 T-Cell Deficiency Disorder With a Contingency Plan.J Infect Dis. 2021;223(4):547-549. doi:10.1093/infdis/jiab026
National Cancer Institute.Definition of Neoplasm.
Shahrabi S, Ghanavat M, Behzad MM, Purrahman D, Saki N.CD markers polymorphisms as prognostic biomarkers in hematological malignancies.Oncol Rev. 2020;14(2):466. doi:10.4081/oncol.2020.466
U.S. National Library of Medicine.Understanding How Monoclonal Antibodies Work.
Zahavi D, Weiner L.Monoclonal Antibodies in Cancer Therapy.Antibodies (Basel). 2020;9(3):34. doi:10.3390/antib9030034
National Cancer Institute.CAR T Cells: Engineering Patients’ Immune Cells to Treat Their Cancers.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.List of Targeted Therapy Drugs Approved for Specific Types of Cancer.
American Cancer Society.Monoclonal antibodies to treat cancer.Vanneman M, Dranoff G.Combining immunotherapy and targeted therapies in cancer treatment.Nat Rev Cancer. 2012;12(4):237-51. doi:10.1038/nrc3237.
American Cancer Society.Monoclonal antibodies to treat cancer.
Vanneman M, Dranoff G.Combining immunotherapy and targeted therapies in cancer treatment.Nat Rev Cancer. 2012;12(4):237-51. doi:10.1038/nrc3237.
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