CD52：アレムツズマブ

Alemtuzumab, a Monoclonal Antibody against CD52: Hopes and Fears

CD52は成熟リンパ球などに発現し，免疫系の調整に関与すると考えられている。アレムツズマブはCD52に対するヒト化モノクローナル抗体であり，特にCD4⁺Tリンパ球の長期の著明な減少をもたらす。複数のランダム化試験により，その再発寛解型多発性硬化症に対する有効性はインターフェロンβを大きく上回ることが明らかにされているが，甲状腺疾患や血小板減少性紫斑病など自己免疫疾患の誘発が問題になっている。

Abstract

CD52, an antigen expressed on immune cells including mature T lymphocytes, is thought to be involved in immunomodulatory mechanisms. Alemtuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody against CD52, which causes a marked and long-term decrease in immune cells, especially CD4-positive T lymphocytes. A few randomized clinical trials have revealed the efficacy of alemtuzumab to be much greater than that of interferon-β in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. However, the development of other autoimmune disorders, including autoimmune thyroid disorders and thrombocytic purpura, because of alemtuzumab application has been considered an obstacle in its widespread use.