Direct and complement dependent cytotoxicity in CLL cells from patients with high-risk early–intermediate stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) treated with alemtuzumab and rituximab
✍ Scribed by Clive S. Zent; Charla R. Secreto; Betsy R. LaPlant; Nancy D. Bone; Timothy G. Call; Tait D. Shanafelt; Diane F. Jelinek; Renee C. Tschumper; Neil E. Kay
- Publisher
- Elsevier Science
- Year
- 2008
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 373 KB
- Volume
- 32
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0145-2126
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
The mechanism of cytotoxicity of alemtuzumab and rituximab in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is not well understood. We obtained fresh CLL cells from early-intermediate stage high-risk patients just prior to treatment with alemtuzumab and rituximab to study mechanisms of action and resistance. Alemtuzumab had minimal direct cytotoxicity but caused significant complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) although a subpopulation of CLL cells had intrinsic resistance. Rituximab had no direct cytotoxicity and caused minimal CDC in cells from most patients. These data suggest that CDC has a therapeutic role in patients treated with alemtuzumab and that measures to decrease resistance to CDC could increase efficacy.