Gene Splicing Reduces Effectiveness of CD20-Targeting Monoclonal Antibodies Designed to Treat Variety of Blood Cancers and Disorders
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Immunotherapies that target the CD20 antigen have revolutionized how patients with a variety of blood cancers and hematologic disorders have been treated. However, many patients develop resistance to these treatments due to a loss of the antigen that's being targeted. Now, a new study from researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) has found that gene splicing occurring within these cells can cause significant changes in CD20 protein levels that render the therapies ineffective.
- PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Immunotherapies that target the CD20 antigen have revolutionized how patients with a variety of blood cancers and hematologic disorders have been treated.
- These findings may lead to more appropriate choices for therapy that maximize benefits to patients affected by a variety of blood cancers.
- CD20 is a cell-surface protein involved in the fine-tuning of B cell responses to foreign agents like viruses.
- Prior research had shown that a loss of CD20 reduced the effectiveness of these immunotherapies, since it would remove their intended target.