A review of CD97, a protein on some tumor cells, and ways to target it
Original title: CD97/ADGRE5 in Cancer: Structural Activation, Context-Dependent Signaling, and Therapeutic Targeting.
How far along is this research?
- Lab cells
- Animals
- Review
- Tested in people
This looks across many earlier studies rather than running a new one.
This is an expert summary of lab and animal research, not a test in people.
The short version
Experts looked at what is known about a cell protein called CD97 and how it might one day be targeted in cancer.
What was studied. This article reviews past research on CD97, a protein found on the surface of cells. It covers how the protein works, what it does in tumors, and early ideas for treatments aimed at it.
What they found. CD97 seems to help some tumors spread, adapt, and survive stress. Its role changes with the tumor type and the cells around it. One kind of immune cell treatment, called CAR, fought tumors in animals with glioblastoma: A glioma that is given grade 4, the highest grade. It grows fast. Treatment usually starts soon after it is found. It often means surgery, then radiation and chemotherapy. See the glossary and a blood cancer, and a drug linked to an antibody worked only in lab tests.
What this means, and what it doesn't
What it could mean: CD97 could someday be a target for new brain tumor treatments, such as glioblastoma: A glioma that is given grade 4, the highest grade. It grows fast. Treatment usually starts soon after it is found. It often means surgery, then radiation and chemotherapy. See the glossary. It might also help doctors learn more about a tumor. For now, it gives researchers a direction to explore.
What it doesn't mean: This is not a new treatment. It is a summary of other studies, mostly done in lab dishes and animals. CD97 is also found on healthy immune cells and other normal tissue, so treatments aimed at it could harm healthy parts of the body. This is far from everyday care, and it is not a cure.
Source: PubMed, September 3, 2026 · Read the original
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