CD23 is the low affinity receptor for IgE. When it appears on eosinophils and macrophages it helps these cells to kill and eat structures that are coated with IgE antibody, but this isn't what it does on CLL cells. Some have suggested that it is a growth factor for B cells, but this is disputed. Others have suggesetd it binds IgE immune complexes and this increases the efficiency of B cell antigen presentation and processing. I can't see why this is important for CLL cells. We also know that it is associated with the fyn tyrosine kinase.
It is present on CLL cells, but not usually on other types of B cell lymphoma cells. It is also present in the serum of CLL patients. In continental Europe, particularly Italy, it has been used as a prognostic factor for CLL. It has not traveled. I think the main problem with it is that it is a surrogate marker for both the amount of CLL cells as well as their growth rate, and therefore not particularly useful for predicting the future.
Please comment on surgery for patients with advanced stages of cll.
ReplyDeleteMy father had to have his appendix removed and it has his blood going crazy!
anemia now real bad (7 or 8) and low platlets too.
I think the blood has had to work too hard to heal the spot where they removed the appendix and the doctors say they may have to operate again-to clean out the area. I am praying he will respond to the antibiotics and make enough improvement to receive some flurdarabine, ....
I have enjoyed your writings especially the Christmas hymm-remakes!
thanks for sharing your talents!
deb
Surgery is possible with CLL, but there is a reduced marrow reserve as your father is finding. If there is infection then the neutrophils and platelets have difficulty in keeping the levels up.
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