What is Recombinant Human B-lymphocyte antigen CD20 and its biological function

Human B-lymphocyte antigen CD20, also known as MS4A1, is a protein that is expressed on the surface of B-lymphocytes (a type of immune cell) and some types of cancer cells. The protein is composed of four transmembrane domains and a short cytoplasmic tail. Its primary function is to act as a calcium-dependent phospholipid binding protein, which plays a role in regulating the activation and differentiation of B-lymphocytes.

CD20 has been found to be overexpressed in some types of cancer, including lymphoma and leukemia, and has therefore been targeted by several drugs for the treatment of these diseases. One such drug is rituximab, which is an antibody that binds to CD20 and leads to the destruction of cancer cells that express the protein. Rituximab is often used in combination with chemotherapy to treat B-cell lymphomas and leukemias.

There have been a number of recent research studies focused on CD20 and its role in disease development. For example, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2021 found that targeting CD20 with rituximab in combination with chemotherapy was effective in improving response rates and overall survival in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Another study published in the same journal in 2020 found that targeting CD20 with rituximab in combination with chemotherapy was effective in improving response rates and progression-free survival in patients with follicular lymphoma.