Comprehensive Guide to Clusters of differentiation (CD) Markers for Immuno-Oncology Research
Validated antibodies for deep immune profiling and tumor microenvironment characterization
Cluster of Differentiation (CD) molecules constitute the backbone of modern immunophenotyping. These surface proteins define immune cell identity, activation state, maturation, and function. For research scientists working in immuno-oncology, CD markers are indispensable for dissecting tumor-immune interactions, validating biomarkers, characterizing immune infiltrates, and developing mechanistic insights relevant to therapy response.
Applications in Immuno-Oncology Research
CD marker-based profiling is central to:
- Immune microenvironment mapping
- Biomarker validation for targeted therapies
- Mechanistic studies in checkpoint blockade
- Preclinical immunotherapy modeling
- Translational biomarker discovery in FFPE samples
This page summarizes key CD markers and contextualizes their roles within the tumor microenvironment, providing examples of IHC/IF panels designed for translational cancer research.
Understanding CD Markers in Cancer Immunology
CD molecules represent lineage markers, activation markers, checkpoint molecules, and functional regulators of both innate and adaptive immunity. Their expression patterns are essential for:
- Identifying immune cell subpopulations (T cells, NK cells, macrophages, B cells, dendritic cells)
- Evaluating immune activation vs. exhaustion states
- Characterizing stromal–immune–tumor cross-talk
- Predicting patient responses to checkpoint blockade
- Profiling immune infiltration in FFPE tumor samples
Key CD Marker Categories
T-Cell Markers:
Functional Role: Define T-cell lineage, activation status, naïve/memory differentiation, and co-stimulatory signaling
Checkpoint & Exhaustion Markers
Negative regulators of T-cell activity; indicators of exhaustion and immune evasion pathways
NK Cell Markers
Identify NK cell subsets, cytotoxic capacity, and maturation stage
Myeloid Markers
Define monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, and polarization states (e.g., M2-like TAMs)
B-Cell & Plasma Cell Markers
Identify B-cell development stages and antibody-producing plasma cells
Functional Classification of CD Markers Used in Tumor Immunology
| CD Marker | Category | Functional Role | View Product → |
|---|---|---|---|
| CD3 | T-cell marker | Pan-T cell receptor complex component; defines total T-cell population | View Product → |
| CD4 | T-cell marker | Helper T-cell lineage marker; central to antigen presentation | View Product → |
| CD8(A) | T-cell marker | Cytotoxic T-cell lineage marker; effector cell identification | View Product → |
| CD25 (IL2RA) | T-cell marker | IL-2 receptor α-chain; T-cell activation and regulatory T-cell biology | View Product → |
| CD45RA | T-cell marker | Naïve T-cell isoform; differentiation assessment | View Product → |
| CD45RO | T-cell marker | Memory T-cell isoform; antigen experience indicator | View Product → |
| CD27 | T-cell marker | Co-stimulatory molecule regulating survival and differentiation | View Product → |
| CD28 | T-cell marker | Essential co-stimulatory receptor for T-cell activation | View Product → |
| CD38 | T-cell activation | Activation and metabolic regulator; also plasma cell marker | View Product → |
| CD69 | T-cell activation | Early activation marker across lymphocyte subsets | View Product → |
| CD279(PDCD1) | Immune checkpoint | Inhibitory receptor defining exhaustion; target in ICIs | View Product → |
| CD274(PD-L1) | Immune checkpoint | Ligand mediating T-cell suppression and tumor immune evasion | View Product → |
|
CD152(TLA-4) |
Immune checkpoint | Negative regulator of T-cell priming and activation | View Product → |
| CD366 (TIM-3) | Immune checkpoint | Exhaustion marker on T cells and innate cells | View Product → |
| CD56 (NCAM1) | NK cell marker | Neural cell adhesion molecule; hallmark NK identifier | View Product → |
| CD16 (FCGR3A) | NK cell marker | FcγRIII; mediates antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) | View Product → |
| CD57 (B3GAT1) | NK cell marker | Differentiation marker of terminal NK cells | View Product → |
| CD14 | Myeloid marker | Monocyte lineage identifier; LPS co-receptor | View Product → |
| CD68 (Macrosialin) | Myeloid marker | Lysosomal marker for macrophages; standard for TAM profiling | View Product → |
| CD163 (M130) | Myeloid marker | M2-like macrophage polarization marker | View Product → |
| CD11c (ITGAX) | Myeloid marker | Dendritic cell and activated myeloid lineage marker | View Product → |
| CD19 | B-cell marker | Broad B-cell lineage marker; development stages | View Product → |
| CD20 (MS4A1) | B-cell marker | Mature B-cell marker; target in B-cell depletion therapies | View Product → |
| CD79a (MB1) | B-cell marker | B-cell receptor component; early B-cell development | View Product → |
| CD138 (SDC1) | Plasma cell marker | Syndecan-1; identifies plasma cells within tumors | View Product → |