Expression of CD52 on plasma cells in plasma cell proliferative disorders

Blood. 2003 Aug 1;102(3):1075-7. doi: 10.1182/blood-2002-12-3784. Epub 2003 Apr 24.

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) and primary systemic amyloidosis (AL) remain incurable disorders, and new treatments targeted to the malignant plasma cells are needed. Alemtuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody to CD52 and has activity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. We examined the CD52 expression on CD45+ and CD45- plasma cell populations to evaluate the potential for using alemtuzumab for these disorders. Bone marrows from 61 patients (29 AL, 23 MM, and 9 MGUS [monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance]) were studied using 3-color (CD38/45/52) flow cytometry. Among those with MGUS, MM, and AL, 67%, 52%, and 35%, respectively, were positive for CD52 expression. The CD52 expression was predominantly confined to the clonal CD38+/CD45+ plasma cell fraction with median expression of 68%, 88%, and 82% in MGUS, MM, and AL, respectively, compared with 18%, 6%, and 9% among the CD45- plasma cell population. Clinical trials are warranted in these diseases to learn the therapeutic benefit of anti-CD52 immunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alemtuzumab
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antibodies, Neoplasm / therapeutic use
  • Antigens, CD / analysis*
  • Antigens, Neoplasm / analysis*
  • Bone Marrow / immunology
  • Bone Marrow / pathology
  • CD52 Antigen
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Glycoproteins / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance / immunology
  • Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance / pathology
  • Multiple Myeloma / immunology
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology
  • Paraproteinemias / immunology
  • Paraproteinemias / pathology*
  • Plasma Cells / immunology*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antibodies, Neoplasm
  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • CD52 Antigen
  • CD52 protein, human
  • Glycoproteins
  • Alemtuzumab