Cluster of differentiation 45 (CD45), also known as leukocyte common antigen (LCA), is a member of the protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) family which is known to regulate a variety of cellular processes including cell growth, differentiation, the mitotic cycle, and oncogenic transformation. CD45 is expressed in most nucleated cells of hematopoietic origin, and is an essential regulator of T and B cell antigen receptor signalling. Anti-CD45 positively stains the majority of lymphoid neoplasms, and is highly indicative of lymphoid origin. However, an absence of CD45 does not rule out lymphoid tumors, as certain types of neoplasms lack CD45, such as Hodgkins lymphoma, some T-cell lymphomas, and some leukemias.

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