CD20 antibody

CD20 is a non-glycosylated phosphoprotein expressed on the surface of B cells. It plays a crucial role in B cell development and differentiation. The CD20 antigen is a target for monoclonal antibody therapies, particularly in the treatment of B cell malignancies such as non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

CD20, also known as MS4A1, is a membrane-spanning protein with four transmembrane domains. It is involved in the regulation of calcium influx across the plasma membrane, which is essential for B cell activation and proliferation. CD20 is expressed on the surface of all mature B cells but is absent on early B cell progenitors and plasma cells .

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting CD20 have revolutionized the treatment of B cell malignancies. These antibodies bind specifically to the CD20 antigen on the surface of B cells, leading to their destruction through various mechanisms, including antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), and direct induction of apoptosis .

Recombinant monoclonal antibodies are produced using recombinant DNA technology, which allows for the generation of antibodies with high specificity and affinity. The development of recombinant anti-CD20 antibodies involves the insertion of the gene encoding the antibody into a host cell line, such as Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, which then produce the antibody in large quantities .

The first anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody approved for clinical use was rituximab, a chimeric mouse/human antibody. Rituximab has been widely used in the treatment of various B cell malignancies and autoimmune diseases. Other anti-CD20 antibodies, such as ofatumumab and obinutuzumab, have been developed to improve efficacy and reduce immunogenicity .