Basis of CD7 molecule and its research progress on immunotherapy in hematologic malignant diseases

Abstract

CD7 molecule is a 40 kDa single-chain glycoprotein molecule, belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. It is an important surface marker on the human immune cell membrane and plays a role in synergistic stimulation of molecular receptors during lymphocyte development and maturation. As an abnormal marker on the surface of hematological malignant cells, it is highly expressed in acute T-lymphocytic leukemia(T-ALL)and T-cell lymphoma. About 30% of patients with acute myeloid leukemia(AML) have been detected the expression of CD7 antigen in tumor cells. CD7 molecule is thought to be involved with disease invasiveness, drug resistance, and poor prognosis. Potent chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT) and other programs have achieved very significant results in the treatment of hematologic malignant diseases. Despite this, there are still some cases of acquired treatment tolerance during the treatment. Molecular targeted therapy provides a safe, effective, and specific therapy regimen that has received increasing attention in recent years. Using of CD7 molecular as a new target for molecular targeted anti-tumor therapy may provide a new therapeutic direction for CD7-positive relapse or refractory hematological malignant diseases. The article intends to review the current progress in the basic and clinical research of CD7 molecules. Key words: Antigens, CD7; Hematologic neoplasms; Immunotherapy; Molecular targeted therapy; Chimeric antigen receptor