Alemtuzumab CD52

The exact mechanism by which Alemtuzumab exerts its therapeutic effect in multiple sclerosis is unknown, but is speculated to be related to binding to CD52, a cell surface antigen found on T and B lymphocytes as well as natural killer cells, monocytes, and macrophages. After binding to T and B lymphocytes on the cell surface, alemtuzumab causes antibody-dependent cytolysis and complement-mediated lysis. Studies have shown that alemtuzumab can also exert immunomodulatory effects through the depletion and regeneration of lymphocytes, including changes in the number, proportion and properties of some lymphocyte subsets after treatment, an increase in regulatory T cell subsets, and an increase in memory T and B lymphocytes.