CD38 at the junction between prognostic marker and therapeutic target.
CD38 is an ectoenzyme involved in transmembrane signaling and cell adhesion and is used as a disease marker for leukemias and myeloma. CD38 is a dependable negative prognostic marker for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Recent evidence indicates that CD38 is a component of a complex network delivering growth and survival signals to CLL cells. In conjunction with chemokines and their receptors, CD38 also influences cell migratory responses. These considerations are the rationale for devising a CLL therapy that uses CD38 as the target. The use of reagents specifically blocking the molecule might provide a new approach for interfering with deleterious growth circuits, therefore increasing the susceptibility of leukemic cells to conventional chemotherapy.
Deaglio
Silvia
S
Department of Genetics, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Biology and Biochemistry and CeRMS, Via Santena 19, 10126 Torino, Italy. silvia.deaglio@unito.it
Aydin
Semra
S
Vaisitti
Tiziana
T
Bergui
Luciana
L
Malavasi
Fabio
F
D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000502:physiology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000737:chemistry; D002465:Cell Movement; D015973:Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000628:therapy*; D008024:Ligands; D008954:Models, Biological; D011379:Prognosis
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D008024:Ligands; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1