CD52 expression in T-cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia--implications for treatment with alemtuzumab.
Few reports on the successful treatment of T-cell large granular lymphocyte (LGL) leukemia with the humanized anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody alemtuzumab are emerging in the literature. The expression of CD52 by LGLs has not been previously investigated. Using semi-quantitative 2- and 3-color flow cytometry, we documented the expression of CD52 in 100% of abnormal cells in T-cell LGL leukemia (n = 11) and natural killer (NK) cell LGL leukemia (n = 2), and showed no significant difference in CD52 expression between T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (PLL) and T-cell LGL leukemia. Higher CD52 expression has been noted in responders to alemtuzumab in T-cell PLL and in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a B-cell disorder. The strong and consistent expression of CD52 shown here highlights the potential role of alemtuzumab in the treatment of refractory T-cell LGL leukemia and possibly aggressive NK cell leukemia.
Osuji
N
N
Section of Haemato-Oncology, Royal Marsden NHS Trust and Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK.
Del Giudice
I
I
Matutes
E
E
Morilla
A
A
Owusu-Ankomah
K
K
Morilla
R
R
Dunlop
A
A
Catovksy
D
D
D000074323:Alemtuzumab; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000074301:CD52 Antigen; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007945:Leukemia, Lymphoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D015458:Leukemia, T-Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000074301:CD52 Antigen; C000613862:CD52 protein, human; D006023:Glycoproteins; D000074323:Alemtuzumab