alemtuzumab

Definition / meaning of alemtuzumab

A recombinant DNA-derived humanized monoclonal antibody directed against the cell surface glycoprotein CD52. Alemtuzumab is an IgG1 kappa with human variable framework and constant regions, and complementarity-determining regions derived from a rat monoclonal antibody. This agent selectively binds to CD52, thereby triggering a host immune response that results in lysis of CD52 + cells. CD52 is a glycoprotein expressed on the surface of essentially all normal and malignant B and T cells, a majority of monocytes, macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells, a subpopulation of granulocytes, and tissues of the male reproductive system.

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Source(s):

The Web site of the National Cancer Institute (http://www.cancer.gov/)

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