CD38

CD38 is a glycoprotein found on the surface of many immune cells, including T cells, B cells and natural killer cells. Additionally, CD38 has been shown to be a bifunctional enzyme expressing both ADP-ribosyl cyclase and cADPR hydrolase activities. The role of CD38 in immune cells ranges from modulating cell differentiation to effector functions during inflammation, where CD38 may regulate cell recruitment, cytokine release, and NAD availability. In line with a role in inflammation, CD38 appears to also play a critical role in inflammatory processes during autoimmunity. Because of CD38 expression is highly upregulated on human plasma cells and especially on multiple myeloma cells.Targeting of CD38 is one of the most important and promising treatment avenues to help patients suffering from multiple myeloma.