Complement-dependent cytotoxicity

Complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) is a function of the complement system. It is the processes in the immune system that kill pathogens by damaging their membranes without the involvement of antibodies or cells of the immune system.

There are three main processes.[1] All three insert one or more membrane attack complexes (MAC) into the pathogen which cause lethal colloid-osmotic swelling ie CDC.

It is one of the mechanisms by which antibodies[1] or antibody fragments[2] have an antitumor effect.

Assays

CDC is measured with various assays to evaluate the effect of drug therapies.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 The Role of Complement in the Mechanism of Action of Rituximab for B-Cell Lymphoma: Implications for Therapy. Zhou 2008
  2. ↑ Complement dependent cytotoxicity activity of therapeutic antibody fragments is acquired by immunogenic glycan coupling.


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