Rituximab produces depletion of malignant B cells in non-Hodgkin lymphoma by targeting which antigen?
- A CD20 on mature and pre-B cells ✓
- B CD19 on all B lineage cells
- C CD34 on haematopoietic stem cells
- D CD52 on lymphocytes and monocytes
Correct answer: A. CD20 on mature and pre-B cells
Explanation
Rituximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody against CD20, expressed on pre-A and mature A cells but absent on stem cells, pro-A cells and plasma cells, which is why humoral immunity can recover after therapy. CD52 is the target of alemtuzumab, used in CLL and T-cell lymphomas. CD34 identifies haematopoietic progenitors and is a stem cell mobilization marker, not a therapeutic target.
Reference: Katzung's Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 15th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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