CD37 expression is restricted to cells of the immune system, with highest abundance on mature B cells, and lower expression is found on T cells and myeloid cells. CD37 is a cell surface glycoprotein that is known to complex with integrins and other transmembrane 4 superfamily proteins. It is also expressed in B-cell non-Hodgkin Lymphomas, in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and in some cases of cutaneous and peripheral T-cell lymphomas.
CAR-37 T cells have demonstrated antigen-specific activation, cytokine production, and cytotoxic activity in models of B- and T-cell lymphomas in vitro and in vivo, including patient-derived xenografts. T cells expressing anti-CD37 CAR have substantial activity against 2 different lymphoid lineages, without evidence of significant T cell fratricide. Furthermore, anti-CD37 CARs have been combined with anti-CD19 CARs to generate dual-specific CAR T cells capable of recognizing CD19 and CD37 alone or in combination. CD37-CAR T cells represent a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of patients with CD37-expressing lymphoid malignancies.
