CD79b
Part of the B-cell receptor found on nearly all B-cell lymphomas; the target of the ADC polatuzumab vedotin and a frequently mutated gene in brain and testicular lymphoma.
CD79b (Igβ) pairs with CD79a to form the signalling subunit of the B-cell receptor. It is expressed on >95% of B-cell lymphomas and rapidly internalises, making it an ideal ADC target: polatuzumab vedotin (approved 2019; POLARIX first line 2023) is the only approved agent. CD79B Y196 mutations drive chronic active BCR signalling in ABC-DLBCL (MCD/C5 cluster), PCNSL and testicular lymphoma, and predict BTK-inhibitor sensitivity. CD79b CAR-T and bispecifics are in trials.
- Target · the protein and the cell it sits on
- Drug · antibody, small molecule, cell or radioligand
- Effect · signal, damage or kill
In plain words · Part of the B-cell receptor found on nearly all B-cell lymphomas; the target of the ADC polatuzumab vedotin and a frequently mutated gene in brain and testicular lymphoma.
- 1 · What it is
Part of the B-cell receptor found on nearly all B-cell lymphomas; the target of the ADC polatuzumab vedotin and a frequently mutated gene in brain and testicular lymphoma.
- 2 · What goes wrong in cancer
Transmembrane Ig-superfamily protein with an ITAM motif; together with CD79a it couples antigen binding to SYK/BTK/PI3K signalling and mediates BCR internalisation.
- 3 · How drugs use it
No product in this corpus aims at CD79b yet. Because it sits on the outside of the cell, it can be reached from the bloodstream: antibodies flag the cell, ADCs deliver a toxin, radioligands deliver radiation, and CAR-T or bispecifics bring a T cell.
Biology
Transmembrane Ig-superfamily protein with an ITAM motif; together with CD79a it couples antigen binding to SYK/BTK/PI3K signalling and mediates BCR internalisation.
- DLBCL (>95% expression; ~20% CD79B mutation in ABC subtype)
- Follicular and mantle cell lymphoma (expression)
- Primary CNS lymphoma (CD79B mutation ~60%)
- CLL (lower expression)
How common it is, by cancer
| Cancer | Prevalence | Measure | Note | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma | 95% | surface expression | doi.org | |
| Primary CNS lymphoma | 50-70% | CD79B mutation |
Approximate, population-level figures; the measure column says what was counted. Ranges show the midpoint as a bar.
Latest papers
topQuery for this target: (TITLE:"CD79b" OR ABSTRACT:"CD79b" OR TITLE:"CD79B" OR ABSTRACT:"CD79B") AND (cancer OR tumor OR tumour OR oncology OR carcinoma OR lymphoma OR leukemia OR leukaemia OR myeloma OR sarcoma OR melanoma OR glioma). Results are unfiltered search hits about CD79b, not a curated reading list.