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CD20 Level

OVERVIEW EXPLANATION

The CD20 protein is produced by members of the B family of Immune Cells. CD20 protein can also be found within the bloodstream. Its levels are substantially increased on most B cells that have become malignant. Hence, an assay that detects elevated levels of cellular CD20 suggests the presence of cancerous B cells. The absence of CD20 in either cellular or blood-soluble form reveals that there is no development of cancerous B cells.

DETAILED EXPLANATION

The CD20 Antigen is a transmembrane protein. Normally it is expressed on B lineage cells from the pre-B cell stage to the B cell lymphoblast stage. CD20 is in low density on all normal B lymphocytes from peripheral blood, lymph node, spleen, tonsil and bone marrow but is absent from plasma cells. The CD20 Antigen expression is significantly increased on most malignant B cells. In some instances, the soluble CD20 Antigen can be detected in the blood stream. This indicates the destruction through the apoptotic process of B cells, probably in the main abnormal or malignant cells. This assay is able to provide information relating to the presence of abnormal, including malignant B cells and also their destruction.

Any increased levels of cellular CD20 are associated with the presence of abnormal, presumably malignant, B cells, whilst any increased levels of soluble CD20 indicate their destruction. The absence of any levels of both cellular CD20 and soluble CD20 of their trace indicates the absence of malignant B cells. The absence of any levels of cellular CD20, whilst there are increased levels of soluble CD20, indicates that there is formation of malignant B cells followed by their total destruction.

APPLICATION

This assay will provide extremely valuable and accurate information relating to all forms of cancer.
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